Mos-kids get to grips with being visible

Mosque Marshal Faisal Mahmood with eight year old Mohammed Saqlain in the new jackets.

A NEW road safety programme has been launched for children who walk to mosque in a bid to reduce traffic accidents.

Oldham Council’s Unity Partnership’s Road Safety team has introduced the Mos-kids programme at Nagina Mosque, Werneth Hall Road, Coppice, between 3 and 7pm.

The 3 until 7 project, in partnership with the Oak Community Development, in Werneth, has identified mosques in at-risk areas.

Now the mosques have selected members of their community to become marshals.

Julie Williams, Unity’s senior road traffic officer, said: “Wearing high visibility clothing, mosque marshals are an additional safety measure reminding children and parents to cross safely.

“Generally, the marshals will be located close to the mosque where it is considered to be most dangerous or difficult to cross.”

The children are also being given high visibility waistcoats and other safety aids to ensure everyone is aware of the importance of the initiative.

The highest child pedestrian casualty rates across Oldham are in Glodwick, Coppice and Coldhurst.