New speed restrictions are being put in place to help increase safety for children outside a village primary school.
Motorists are being advised of the new 20mph zone in the area around Whitburn Village Primary School in Cleadon Lane. New signage is being installed reminding people to slow down and watch their speed in this area
The new speed restriction is the latest in a series of road safety improvements carried out at the school over the past year.
Last summer, the Council provided a parking area at nearby fields to enable parents to drop off and pick up children instead of stopping in surrounding streets and along Cleadon Lane. The arrangements not only helped to alleviate congestion and support traffic flow but also made the area safer by providing clearer walking routes to and from school.
Further work was carried out to widen the entrance to the parking area, which had previously only allowed one car in and out at any one time.
Councillor Tracey Dixon, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety, said: “Cleadon Lane is an extremely busy road, which is especially congested during the school run. The safety of road users is of paramount importance to us and with hundreds of children in this particular area it is vital we make the school vicinity as safe as can be.
“We have already made a number of improvements to help ease the problems on Cleadon Lane by encouraging parents to park off the main road. Lowering the speed limit further minimises the risk of accidents happening, and if they were to occur, there is also a reduced risk of fatal or serious injury.
“We want to remind motorists approaching this area that there are children around and to adhere to the new 20mph limit.”
Susan Beetlestone, Assistant Head Teacher at Whitburn Village Primary School, said: “We are delighted with the positive steps that have been taken to increase safety for our children and their parents.
“With many small children coming in and out of the school at any one time, road safety is an extremely important issue for us. The addition of this newly reduced speed limit is sure to make the area around our school so much safer.”