9:50am Thursday 18th March 2010
By Flora Drury and Lauren Rogers
JUST six school in Worcester are in 20mph zones, despite residents’ concerns.
A county council report 18 months ago recommended 15 more schools which could easily get 20mph limits introduced.
David Clee, manager of Worcestershire County Council’s safer roads team, admitted it had taken a long time but said more investigations were needed to prioritise which schools should get lower speed zones.
He said: “We are very close to getting it done. There may be only one or two schools still outstanding.
"I appreciate it appears to have taken a long time. In reality it has, but it’s being done alongside a lot of other things.
"We only had one person doing it, and he was only able to visit schools when the kids are there.
"It’s no secret that the county council would like to see 20mph limits outside all schools, but in reality it is impossible because budgetary limits mean it’s undeliverable.
"We’ve got to do this fairly and consider all the schools in exactly the same manner.”
Councillor Derek Prodger, cabinet member for transport and safe environment, said: “The whole issue of speeding around schools is being taken very seriously and requires a thorough and detailed investigation.
"We have just completed detailed observations of vehicle speeds, traffic flows and road traffic collisions for each of the schools across the county and we are close to publicising the outcomes of those investigations.
“Each area is different and has to be judged on its individual merits.
“It would be irresponsible to rush through such a programme.”
In the county council’s July 2008 report Stanley Road Primary School was one of the schools identified as not needing major engineering works to enforce a lower limit.
A majority of residents in streets off Wyld’s Lane, Worcester, want speed limits on their road cut to 20mph. School governor Mandy Oasgood said: “It definitely needs to be 20mph on that road.
“I can’t understand why it isn’t. People use it as a rat run.”
Mr Clee said even a school like Stanley Road would end up costing a considerable amount.
He said: “In advertising costs alone for road traffic orders you’re talking £1,000 per school. That is £250,000 for 250 schools.”
The schools with 20mph limits are Tudor Grange Academy, Bilford Road; Gorse Hill Community Primary, Hollymount Road; Nunnery Wood High, Spetchley Road; Nunnery Wood Primary, Prestwich Avenue; Perry Wood Primary and Nursery, St Alban’s Close; St Mary’s, Mount Battenhall.
BALLOT: We want to know if you think going to the expense of creating 20mph zones outside schools is actually the answer. If you vote 'no', please take a second to explain what you think the answer actually is in the comment box below.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/trade_directory/
