Campaign for safer roads '˜20 is plenty'

Pupils told motorists '˜twenty is plenty' as they marched around South Kirby campaigning for safer driving.
Pupils called for safer roads in South Kirkby.Pupils called for safer roads in South Kirkby.
Pupils called for safer roads in South Kirkby.

Youngsters at Stockingate Mill Junior School appealed for safer roads when they took part in the Giant Walk, a road safety campaign by Brake.

They carried banners around streets surrounding the Mill Lane school and appealed to drivers to stick to 20mph and 30mph speed limits.

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Year six teacher Leanne Bailey said: “On the main road near the school there are no speed bumps and drivers do tend to come up there at quite a speed.

A march was held around the school.A march was held around the school.
A march was held around the school.

“There are a lot of children crossing roads near the school but there are not many pedestrian crossings.”

Miss Bailey said drivers slowed down when they saw the youngsters during last Wednesday’s protest.

She said: “The children made their own banners and we had an official one from brake.

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“Some of them had made up their own chants, including, ‘twenty is plenty’.

A march was held around the school.A march was held around the school.
A march was held around the school.

“They were quite excited because some drivers had actually slowed down and taken notice.

“It was nice to see that they had an impact.”

Thousands of pupils around the country take part in the Giant Walk, organised every year by safety charity Brake to help reduce casualties on the roads.

The charity has complained that the UK has a poor record of helping children stay safe when they walk or cycle to school.

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That leads to around 50 per cent of youngsters being driven to school, causing traffic congestion and more pollution, said Brake.

Miss Bailey said children were taught how to stay safe on the roads in lessons at the school.

She added: “It was the first time we’ve taken part in the Giant Walk but I think we’ll do it again next year.”

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