Six Torbay schools targeted for new 20mph zones amid road safety push
New 20mph zones have been proposed around six Torbay schools and colleges, as the council says lower speeds could improve road safety for pedestrians and drivers
Six more Torbay schools could be surrounded by 20mph speed limits as the bay’s council continues its drive for safer roads.
The local authority has taken to social media to gauge public reaction to the six proposed zones.
A number of Torbay schools already have 20mph limits on the roads around their sites.
Some local drivers are calling for the limits to be enforced during term time only and relaxed during the holidays or even outside school hours.
One response on social media said: “24-hour zones are frustrating and do not improve the safety of school children – because there aren’t any!”
But Torbay Council says school facilities are often used by adults and children outside core school hours and during the holidays.
The council is asking for feedback on potential school 20mph zones at:
- All Saints Babbacombe Primary School, Torquay
- Collaton St Mary CofE Primary School
- Ellacombe CofE Academy, Torquay
- Mayfield Chestnut Centre, Brixham
- St Marychurch CofE Primary and Nursery School, Torquay
- South Devon College, Paignton
In a statement, the council said: “The school and college sites have been chosen because they are on or near roads with a high level of pedestrian-to-vehicle conflict, and have been brought forward after strong support from the community for earlier schemes.
“The planned zones include nearby residential roads which see a high volume of use by school children. Lower speeds in urban areas help reduce accidents, cut noise, improve air quality and give drivers more time to react.”
The new mandatory limits would be in operation at all times and would be enforced by the police.
The schools which already have 20mph limits around them include Torquay Academy, Cockington Primary School, Torre Church of England Academy, St Cuthbert Mayne School and Barton Hill Academy, all in Torquay.
There are also limits around Paignton Academy, Sacred Heart Primary School and Hayes School in Paignton. Eden Park Primary School and Brixham College also have 20mph speed limits on surrounding streets.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents strongly backs 20mph speed limits close to schools and says there is a clear link between lowering vehicle speeds and a significant reduction in casualties.
It says that while 20mph limits combined with speed humps are the most effective measure, a simple 20mph limit is cheaper and quicker to install and allows councils to cover wider areas cost-effectively.
The society says drivers should treat school speed limits as a maximum, not a target.