Laura Bagshaw A CAMPAIGN to see 20mph speed limits introduced outside all schools in the Great Yarmouth borough is being stepped up by local MP Tony Wright. Mr Wright began consulting parents and teachers about the issue in December and has so far received unprecedented support for lower speed limits.

Laura Bagshaw

A CAMPAIGN to see 20mph speed limits introduced outside all schools in the Great Yarmouth borough is being stepped up by local MP Tony Wright.

Mr Wright began consulting parents and teachers about the issue in December and has so far received unprecedented support for lower speed limits. Now he is taking his campaign a step further by asking everyone in the borough for their views.

Out of almost 1,000 replies from parents so far, 99.7pc of parents want 20mph limits, whether permanent or temporary (only during schools hours).

Mr Wright said he wanted as much feedback as possible on the campaign, backed by the Mercury, so he could take the views to Norfolk County Council and a government minister.

He said: “There is a tremendous amount of support among parents and teachers for safer school routes, and almost 100pc of respondents want lower speed limits. Parents have also raised with me specific issues around particular schools and roads and I will be feeding these back to the authorities to ensure they take some action at these danger spots.

“I want to make sure the government knows that parents are concerned and takes the appropriate action. I am strongly in favour of lower limits myself, and will be pushing the minister to make lower limits compulsory around all schools.”

The issue of 20mph speed limits came into the spotlight last year after a Hopton Primary pupil suffered a near miss outside the school.

Parents mounted a strong campaign - getting more than 300 signatures on a petition - however Norfolk County Council put the brakes on the campaign opting to have a speed activated sign installed outside the school instead.

At the time the county council said school travel plans, completed by 38 borough schools, had cut congestion outside schools and suggested that “slow down” signs with twin amber flashing lights could be the way forward.

Mr Wright added he also wanted to hear from people who don't agree with lower speed limits.

“I want to give the minister a realistic break-down of local feeling on the issue so we can see workable and safe solutions put in place,” said Mr Wright.

The consultation runs until the end of May and to give your views visit www.tonywright4greatyarmouth.com