Ongoing efforts to improve road safety outside of Moorlands Primary in Mount have been boosted by the introduction of a 20mph zone outside the School.

The scheme came into force on Friday 6 September, covers the whole length of Moorlands Road, Moorlands Crescent and Shannon Drive and involves signage and one flat top speed hump to complement existing traffic calming feature.

Funding for the scheme was secured from Huddersfield Area Committee by Cllr Cahal Burke (Lib Dem, Lindley Ward) who undertook to set up the project in response to the concerns of parents, residents and school staff. The scheme has cost in the region £15k.

As part of the scheme, specially produced 20mph signs designed by pupils from the school have been situated along the length of the zone encouraging drivers to obey the new restrictions.

The introduction of the 20mph scheme is the latest element in a package of works to improve road safety outside the school.

Over two Years ago, following negotiations with the Council by Lib Dem Councillors for the area, Huddersfield YMCA generously gave permission for their car park to be used as part of a “Park n Stride” scheme. The scheme aimed to reduce the amount of traffic on Moorlands Road at peak times by getting parents to park up a little distance away and make the remainder of the journey by foot. The scheme has proved very popular and successful and has been supported and promoted to parents by the School. The School also has a daily Crossing Patrol while the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Council’s Traffic Enforcement Team have also regularly visited the School to ensure parents are obeying the traffic regulations outside the school gates.

Cllr Cahal Burke – Councillor for Lindley Ward said:

“The introduction of the 20mph zone and the children’s signs are the latest elements in a package of things we done over the last few years to improve road safety outside Moorlands Primary. In addition to the 20mph zone and signs, traffic calming is now in place along the road and a “Park n Stride” scheme set up with the help and support of the YMCA. The School has an ongoing commitment to working with and educating parents and pupils about road safety as well as having an excellent Crossing Patrol. The Council’s Enforcement Team and the Police also provide support to the School which we are very grateful for. Collectively our goal is to make the roads around the school safer and happier places to be and we are doing everything we can to achieve this.

Every month more than 1,000 British children are injured on roads near schools. In these incidents speed can be the key factor that determines whether a child will survive. Bringing the speed limit down to 20mph outside schools is the right thing to do and I would like to see it happen elsewhere as well.

Thanks have to go to everyone at the school, the parents, the crossing patrol, the police, the council and residents for their support. Thanks also need to go to the YMCA for supporting the “Park n Stride” scheme which has had a big impact. We will now be monitoring closely people’s observance of the new speed limits and working with the council and the police to make sure the it is enforced.”

Janet Thornton – Deputy Head, Moorlands Primary School said:

“The 20mph enforcement and additional traffic calming is a welcome addition in support of the safety of the children at Moorlands. Involving the children in designing the signs supported their understanding of the need for parents and other drivers to slow down and take extreme care near school.”