Four Chester-le-Street pupils have had their artwork turned into road signs as part of a Durham County Council scheme to implement 20mph speed limits outside schools.
Designs by Josh Rowe, Lauren Roberts and Faye Haynes from Cestria Primary School and Ethan Arkle from Park View Lower School were selected by members of the county council’s Slow to 20 for Safer Streets project team who had the tough job of selecting the winners from a host of quality entries.
John Reed, head of technical services at the county council, added: “The purpose of the Slow to 20 schemes is to reduce traffic speeds around the schools during drop off and pick up times, which will help to improve road safety for all road users as well as making walking, cycling and outdoor play more attractive. I would like to congratulate the winners on their designs for the new signage, which will go a long way to help enforce this important message.”
Three of the four winners visited Barnard Castle sign-makers William Smith to watch as the winning designs were turned into signs. The new signs will be erected on Mains Park Road in Chester le Street, one of the new 20 mph zones.
Martin Vickers, from William Smith, said: “Both pupils and teachers enjoyed exploring the manufacturing process and seeing how their original artworks were taken from design to finished sign. We were delighted that Durham County Council asked us to be a part of this project.”
The pupils were also presented with miniature versions of their sign as a keepsake.
Cestria headteacher Lorraine Gowland said: “The children have worked really hard to produce the signs. I’m sure they will really make passing drivers take note and hopefully slow down.”
The county council is meanwhile set to double the number of schools outside which 20mph are introduced.
The council’s cabinet agreed in December 2014 to introduce 20mph limits outside 33 schools over three years.
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