The Welsh Government has announced a £4.5m three-year programme "to improve safety at more than 40 schools on trunk roads", primarily through the use of part-time 20mph speed limits.
Following a Welsh Government review of safety on walking and cycling routes to schools on Wales’ trunk road network, 56 schools were identified as having potential for road safety improvements. Earlier this year part-time advisory 20mph speed limits were introduced at eight schools, and they are now in the process of being made permanent.
Edwina Hart, transport minister, has announced that 41 more schools will receive part time 20mph limits. Three schools will receive engineering measures to improve safety and four had no measures identified but will now be part of discussions with the local authority about what else can be done to improve safety. The work will be completed over the next three years.
The part time limits will work through the use of electronic signs that indicate the 20mph speed limits during school pick-up and drop-off times. Outside of those times the usual speed limits will apply.
Mrs Hart said: “Evidence shows that 20mph speed limits can improve driver behaviour and reduce speeds around schools.
"However due to the nature of the trunk road network and some of the long distance journeys undertaken, we need to balance the need of the drivers and that is where part-time 20mph speed limits can play a part.
"As well as improving safety and saving lives I hope this will enable more children and young people to walk or cycle to school.
"Where appropriate we have also identified engineering works to encourage active travel to schools.”
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