School-run parents want action on speed limit

Parents Renata and Alistair Campbell are welcoming a review into the speed limit outside Woodmansey Primary School

The speed limit on a road near a school that parents say "is an accident waiting to happen" could be reduced.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council said it was looking into reducing the limit on the A1174 Hull Road outside Woodmansey Primary School from 30mph (48km/h) to 20mph (32km/h), as well as other schools where concerns have been raised.

Parent Renata Campbell, 39, said: "We've seen half a dozen accidents dropping the kids off, one of those was a second away from crashing into us."

Ward councillor Tom Astell, who raised the motion at last week's full council meeting, said: "We need to act because we don't want to see any fatalities or injuries at schools due to the unsafe nature of the roads."

Traffic along the A1174 Hull Road outside Woodmansey Primary School at pick-up time

Mrs Campbell and her husband, Alistair, 49, have two children who attend the school and said they had to park at a local pub 0.4 miles away and walk alongside the A1174 due to a lack of parking provision.

Mr Campbell said: "It's a hazard every day.

"Anxiety levels are high when we need to drop them off and pick them up. We always make sure we hold their hands, so they're the side of the road away from the traffic."

At last week's meeting, as well as considering the introduction of 20mph zones and conducting a review of road safety outside other schools, the council also agreed to prioritise other evidence-based measures, including improved crossings or enforcement, where there is community backing.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, the fatality risk at 30mph is a one in five estimate, while the risk at 20mph is just above one in 40.

Boynton Primary School, near Bridlington, which is 40mph (64km/h) is among the other schools in the region also facing a speed limit review.

Claire Moy attended the full council meeting and spoke on behalf of parents and guardians at Woodmansey Primary School

Claire Moy, who walks her son to school every morning, was behind a petition in June calling for a reduced speed limit, which attracted more than 400 signatures - four times the amount of pupils at the school.

She welcomed the review, but said a lower speed limit was needed "yesterday".

She said: "It's about the safety of our children. Nothing can be prioritised above that. There is a relief now, but we're just waiting for it to come to fruition.

"It's a matter of urgency.

"The petition has got beyond overwhelming support from the community. We just need action from the council now."

Headteacher Jonathon Williams said without a 20mph speed zone, children were being put at risk.

He said there was currently a staggered exit at home time, with children leaving from different exits.

Ward councillor Tom Astell raised the motion at full council

Astell, who is councillor for Minster and Woodmansey Ward, added: "I don't want to wait any longer then is absolutely necessary.

"Luckily, there hasn't been any accidents but it won't be long before there is an injury or even worse."

East Riding of Yorkshire council said it shared concerns about road safety near schools and would assess if a 20mph zone was the answer.

"Across the East Riding there are 124 primary schools, the majority of which benefit from road safety measures, such as warning signs, pedestrian crossings and traffic calming measures.

"While 20mph zones can be effective, they are not the universal solution.

"The council is unable to fund 20mph zones outside every school at this time. They can cost as much as £6,000 and take up to a year to successfully deliver."

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