Slow-down zone for York schools

City of York Council road safety officer Ken Spence said the two-year project would be a "massive safety boost" to children at more than 50 schools.

He told the Evening Press: "We now have the funding to put in 20mph safety zones outside every primary school in York where appropriate.

"It will reduce the risk of accidents and should also put a lot of parents' and teachers' minds at rest."

The safety zones will feature a range of measures including large 20mph signs, a speed table crossing point at each end, red warning markings painted on the road and several speed cushions.

Mr Spence said: "A safety zone will not be suitable for every school because of the type of road they are on, but we will ensure alternative safety features are put in.

"We hope the scheme will also lead to an increase in children being allowed to walk and cycle to school. It would cut down on school-run congestion and be beneficial from a health point of view."

Mr Spence said about 16 York primary schools already had 20mph safety zones, including Strensall School, Derwent School and English Martyrs' School.

The scheme will be funded out of the Government's Local Transport Plan.

Parent Elaine Brown, whose son attends Heworth CofE Primary School, in Heworth Road, welcomed the new scheme.

She said: "There's nothing to slow cars down outside the school at the moment and it gets very busy during the morning.

"The pavement is also very narrow.

"I'm delighted the council is finally doing something about it."

David Thewlis, head teacher at St Lawrence's CofE Primary School in Heslington Road, said: "It's fantastic.

"If everything goes to plan we hope to have a 20mph zone installed by February.

"It's something I've been hassling the city council about for quite some time.

"I mentioned the scheme at a recent parents evening and some of them started clapping

Updated: 11:03 Friday, October 05, 2001