Staffordshire schools to get 20mph limits enforced

More schools in Staffordshire are to have 20mph speed limit zones enforced.

Drivers travelling across the county will now have to drive slower outside 32 schools during peak times, it has been revealed.

Sixteen schools, including St Michael's RC Primary School, Sturgeon's Hill, Lichfield; Heath Hayes Primary, Wimblebury Road, Heath Hayes, and Pye Green Valley Primary, Rosehill, Hednesford, will take part in a project launched by Staffordshire's road safety chief to cut speeds.

Other schools include Chase Terrace Primary, Rugeley Road, Burntwood; St John's Primary, Hobnock Road, Essington, and St Michael's First School, Lichfield Road, Stone

The rolling programme to cut speeds has been a success since a September launch. The Speed Indicator Devices formed phase one of a campaign to cut speeds.

A second phase launched last month outside eight schools on main roads in Tamworth. Legally enforceable part-time 20mph zones — some of the first in England to be approved — were on A and B roads.

If they have a positive effect, they will be rolled out across the county, as funding allows. The county council won Government backing for restrictions on main roads. Only 10 other English areas have permission.

County Councillor Mike Maryon, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Lowering speeds from 30mph to 20mph can literally save lives.

"This '20 is plenty' scheme has already started to make a big difference to drivers' behaviour and people are really taking heed of the message. The more we highlight and drive home this campaign, the safer our highways will be for some of the most vulnerable members of the community."

The part-time 20mph zones are in operation during school run times to protect pupils, but ensure that traffic flows are unaffected when children are in class, and during school holidays.