'40mph limit must be reduced after pupil's death'

Evan Rothwell's family said he "loved life" and "lit up the world around him"

A head teacher has called for an immediate reduction in the 40mph speed limit outside his school following the death of an 11-year-old pupil.

Evan Rothwell was hit by a grey Nissan Qashqai outside The King's School on Wrexham Road, Chester, on 12 November 2024 and died in hospital four days later.

Cheshire West and Chester Council said a review of road safety at the site was under way, with other measures including repairing street lights to be implemented ahead of its conclusion.

Head teacher, George Hartley said he welcomed the review of road safety but "anything short of a reduction in the speed limit on this road will fall short of what is required to keep children safe".

George Hartley, head teacher of The King's School, has joined with nursery owner, Claire Taylor to call for the speed limit on the 40mph road to be lowered immediately

Mr Hartley said urgent action was needed "not only for the safety of our children but also to address the growing concerns of the wider community".

Cheshire Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information or CCTV footage of the incident to come forward.

A petition calling for the speed limit to be lowered and changes to be made to the junction outside the school, has reached over 14,000 signatures and also has the backing of Evan Rothwell's family.

'Prevent future tragedies'

Mr Hartley added: "We are yet to receive an adequate explanation as to why we are one of the only primary and secondary schools in the area to not have a 20 or 30mph speed limit outside our setting."

Mr Hartley said he and Claire Taylor, owner of Jigsaw Nursery, also on Wrexham Road, had been raising concerns with the council since 2022.

"Action needs to be taken immediately to reduce the speed limit to prevent any further tragedies," said Mrs Taylor.

A Cheshire West and Chester Council spokesperson referred the BBC to their statement issued in December, in which they confirmed "an independent and comprehensive review" was to take place in January.

In this statement, the council also extended its condolences to Evan Rothwell's family and friends.