Step Up Step Up - January 2014 | Page 11

STEP UP PAGE 11 STAYING SAFE Slowing down for schools Children’s safety is the focus of a council pilot scheme that will see 20mph zones introduced around a number of borough schools. The £200,000 project will encourage drivers to slow down on short stretches of road outside schools. The restrictions will be limited to certain times of the day, indicated to drivers by electronic signs. A number of new zebra crossings are also being proposed as part of the Transport for London-funded scheme. Before any of the work is carried out, the council will be seeking the views of schools, parents and local residents. By making it safer to walk to school the council is also aiming to get more children walking or cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle. The selected schools are largely amongst those which have identified, in their formal travel plans, the speed of nearby traffic as being a problem. The council has also done its own surveys to identify suitable locations where this approach is likely to prove effective. The locations chosen for the project are: School Ark Oval Chipstead Valley Harris Academy Purley Monks Orchard Primary Regina Coeli St Thomas Becket Wolsey Junior Address Cherry Orchard Road Chipstead Valley Road Pampisford Road The Glade Pampisford Road Birchanger Road King Henry’s Drive ‘…the council is also aiming to get more children walking or cycling as part of a healthy lifestyle.’