Lower Limits for Safer Schools | "They do it across the border, but not here"

12.00.00am GMT Fri 21st Mar 2008

A leading Member of the National Assembly for Wales has backed his party's call for 20mph speed zones around local schools.

Michael German AM, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wales, and a local Assembly Member in Gwent was speaking after a debate in the Senedd on transport issues.

He said, "20 mph zones will not just help save lives from accident and collisions. By making the surrounding areas safer they will encourage more children to walk and cycle to school promoting a healthier lifestyle and a reduction in the number of car journeys made to take children to and from school. It's good for health and good for the planet too."

"I would like the scheme to be extended to include residential and boarding schools, where the need is probably greater, as children spend much more time there."

Mr. German pointed to the example of Gloucestershire, where 20mph zones around local schools had been implemented at school run times. However, neighbouring Monmouthshire had failed to follow this example, because it is 'not the policy of the council'. "They do it across the border, but not here in neighbouring areas of Wales", Mr. German added.

Phil Hobson, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats on Monmouthshire County Council added, "We've asked for 20mph zones at school run times outside local schools for the last four years. We have always been met with the response 'it's not our policy'. This must change."

Speaking about other areas that are meeting the challenge of road safety, Mr. German said, "Liberal Democrat run Swansea has already begun a programme to implement 20 mph speed limits around schools, using part of its road safety grant. The aim is to have these around all of Swansea's schools in a year or two."

Mr. German added, "Little expenditure needed to upgrade the areas around most schools to a 20 mph zone. Admittedly signs need replacing and forms need filling out, but this is a small price to pay to try and make getting to school safer for all Wales' children."