Signs of success for schoolchildren

12.00 | 26 May 2016 |

Schoolchildren who have seen their artwork turned into important safety signs have paid a visit to see them in situ.

Pupils from Cestria Primary School and Park View School in Chester-le-Street came up with designs for signs to enforce Durham County Council’s new 20 mile per hour speed limits.

They have now visited a site where the signs have just gone up to see them in place.

The council agreed in 2014 to roll out 20mph speed limits outside 33 schools across the county, using a £1million Public Health grant.

Phase one involved 13 schools in the Chester-le-Street and Bishop Auckland areas and has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

Children at Cestria Primary and Park View took part in competitions in school organised by the council’s road safety team to come up with images and messages for signs to encourage drivers to comply with the new speed limits.

A judging panel made up of representatives from the council’s Slow to 20 for Safer Streets project, which is overseeing the implementation of the reduced speed limits, chose the winning designs.

These were then used in the creation of signs which went up on Front Street and Station Road in Chester-le-Street.

The four pupils whose designs were used – Josh Lowe, Lauren Roberts and Faye Haynes from Cestria Primary, and Ethan Arkle from Park View – have visited to see them in situ and were accompanied by county councillors and road safety officers.

Lauren, who is ten, said: “We want people to stick to the speed limit outside our school and it has been great to be involved in designing signs which will get this message out.

“I really enjoyed doing my design and was thrilled when I was told it would be used on the signs.

“I was really proud to see the work I had done on signs which so many people will see and hope they will take notice.”

John Reed, head of technical services, said: “We are delighted with the fantastic artwork produced by these talented students and think they will have a real impact locally.

“They will help to reinforce this important road safety message both in Chester-le-Street and across the county.”

The county council has meanwhile agreed to almost double the number of schools outside which 20mph limits are introduced. 

At a cabinet meeting earlier this month, recommendations were agreed which will see 20mph limits introduced at up to a further 33 locations.

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