PRESS RELEASE
Issued by:
Councillor Jean Quinn
Date of Issue: October 23rd 2009
Contact numbers:
0151 625 9547
07792 002972
Lib Dem office: 0151 691 8544

ACCIDENTS 2 ZERO IN EDUCATION: INTRODUCTION OF 20MPH ZONES AROUND SCHOOLS

Councillor Jean Quinn, Liberal Democrat Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Transport, is asking Wirral Council to look into the feasibility of introducing statutory 20mph speed limits around all schools in a motion being put to the 2 nd November meeting of the Council.

Councillor Quinn said, “I am asking Council to request the Director of Technical Services to review speed limits around Wirral schools and, in partnership with Merseyside Police, examine the feasibility of introducing either permanent or variable “time specific” 20 mph restrictions as appropriate.”

Department for Transport guidance on setting local speed limits highlights that local authorities can consider introducing 20mph speed limits, variable 20mph speed limits and 20mph zones in residential areas and around schools if they believe it appropriate to do so.

Councillor Quinn said, “Our “Accidents 2 Zero” initiative involving the introduction of advisory 20mph signs in residential areas has been very successful and popular and has now progressed onto a third tranche of sites across the Borough. The introduction of 20mph speed limits around schools is a logical extension of this.”

A Government paper published on 22 nd October 2009; Improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Great Britain , also highlights the role of speed in road traffic accidents because the severity of injuries caused i ncreases considerably once speeds start to rise above 20mph.

Significant progress is already being made in improving safety on Wirral's roads, in particular, the early achievement of the Government's national 2010 target for reducing the number of serious accident casualties involving children.

Councillor Quinn concluded, “The number of children killed or seriously injured on Wirral roads fell from 37 in 2005 to 14 in 2008. However, 14 is still 14 too many and we must never lose sight of this fact. Improving safety on Wirral's roads, particularly for vulnerable road users such as children and adult pedestrians and cyclists, must continue to be a priority.”

To read the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee, Improving road safety for pedestrians and cyclists in Great Britain, click here