Fresh calls for mandatory 20mph speed limits outside schools

Councillor Colin Lambert

The Leader of the Labour party in Rochdale is calling on the Council to implement a 20mph speed limit outside all the schools in the borough.

Councillor Colin Lambert is concerned that almost 12 months since Rochdale Council agreed to introduce the limit that very little has been done.

Councillor Lambert said: “It is coming up to 12 months since Rochdale Council agreed a motion at Full Council to implement a 20mph speed limit outside our schools to protect children and keep them safe at the school gate.

“Yet not one extra sign has been put up and no budget has been identified for the work.

“Heywood Township has asked formally for advisory signs to be put up whilst we await more formal action from the council and a budget has been identified to target three schools as a start.

“But still nothing has been done. The motion was clear it was a corporate policy and should be implemented and paid through central budgets.”

Councillor Lambert added: “In addition the parents and visitors must also play their part when taking children to school.

“The yellow lines at our schools and the yellow zig zag markings are there to protect all children and must be kept clear. It is not excusable for one parent to feel they can break the law.

 “One thoughtless driver is enough to cause an accident. This also applies to taxi drivers and delivery vehicles. Please consider children first.”

A spokesperson for Rochdale Council said: “Fifty one schools (out of 89 across the borough) are within a 20mph / traffic calmed area. Three have been implemented this year and a further 3 are in the process of being worked on with legal orders being prepared.

“We are in the process of assessing all the remaining schools to determine cost estimates and a priority list for implementation and a programmed delivery.

“In addition, orders have been placed with contractors to locate ‘Kill Your Speed’ signs outside a number of schools within the borough and these signs should be in place shortly.”