Kerbcraft in Bury
Kerbcraft was a child pedestrian training scheme which took place in Bury over three years between 2003 and 2006. This community based scheme was part of a national pilot, funded by the Department for Transport, which took place in areas where there were relatively high pedestrian accident rates.
The Kerbcraft scheme involved recruiting volunteers from the local community (usually the children's parents) who were then trained to become Kerbcraft Trainers. Their role was to help train the children (aged 5 -7) in road safety skills at the roadside during weekly sessions. The Kerbcraft course involved 3 skills, these being:
- Finding safer places to cross
- Crossing safely at parked cars
- Crossing safely at junctions
Each course had around 12 weekly sessions and the practical street-based approach helped the children show a real improvement in their road awareness. They also enjoyed the chance to walk around their local area, meet new adults and get some gentle exercise. Kerbcraft also helped raise the profile of School Travel Plans by teaching parents and children the benefits of walking and the importance of learning pedestrian skills at an early age.
Fantastic volunteers
The Kerbcraft courses could not have gone ahead without the fantastic help of volunteers from the local community. All the Kerbcraft Trainers showed a range of skills when taking the children on their walks and many used the experience to help find employment or help with various teaching qualifications. Others found it gave them confidence to become more active in their child's school, where they helped with reading, plays, charity events and much more. Many Trainers made new friends on the scheme and commented on the fact they felt involved in something worthwhile. The positive attitude and commitment of the 70+ Kerbcraft Trainers was fantastic.
Schools and children
During the Kerbcraft scheme over 750 children took part from 9 schools in Bury. The schools were all very positive and committed to the course. They are listed below:
East Ward primary - East ward
St Luke's - Redvales ward
Holy Trinity - Redvales ward
St John's with St Mark's - Moorside ward
St Joseph & St Bede's - East ward
St Michael's - Besses ward
St Paul's - East ward
St Peter's - Redvales ward
St Thomas's - Redvales ward
National awards
The Kerbcraft scheme was a real success in Bury and the visual (bright yellow!) impact had a great affect on the local communities it took place in. This success was underlined on 2 occasions during the 3 year project when Bury won Kerbcraft Volunteer of the Year in 2004 and Kerbcraft School of the Year 2005 (pictured in the photograph at the top of the page). Considering over a 1000 schools took part in this scheme nationwide these awards were quite an achievement. Andrew Mawdsley from Elton (pictured above) won the Volunteer award for his outstanding commitment to the scheme and St Joseph & St Bede's won the School award for being fantastically supportive throughout the 3 years.
Road safety and school travel plans
Road safety
Whilst the three year Kerbcraft scheme has now come to an end our commitment to road safety and school travel continues.
Bury's Road Safety Team deliver a range of road safety education in both primary and secondary schools.
Go to the road safety web pages for more information
School travel plans
Many of Bury's schools have got involved in the School Travel Plan process and attempted to cut congestion and encourage healthier methods of travel, such as walking and cycling.
Go to the travel plan web pages for more information
How to contact us
Workplace Travel Co-ordinator
Environment & Development Services, Lester House, 21 Broad Street, Bury, BL9 0AW
Phone: 0161 253 5934
Fax: 0161 253 5363
