Fresh support for 20mph bid

Laura Bagshaw

A SECOND headteacher has pledged support for a campaign to get 20mph speed limits imposed around all schools across the country.

Elizabeth Davis, headteacher at Homefield Primary School in Bradwell, is backing the Rural North Tenants and Residents Association (RNTA) petition on the Downing Street website to get speeds reduced in streets around schools to improve pupils' safety.

Children at her own school have organised a petition of their own “20 Is Plenty” after Bradwell Parish Council contacted them to see if they would be willing to support them in persuading Norfolk County Council to reduce speed limits in Church Walk, Green Lane, Lord's Lane and Church Lane.

These four streets with 30mph speed limits are used by schoolchildren walking to and from three primary schools - Hillside, Woodlands and Homefield.

Mrs Davis said some schools did not need 20mph limits as much as others, depending on their locations, but added: “I would support anything like that because I don't want to see any accidents involving children or adults around the schools.”

The Homefield petition is being distributed to shops in Bradwell to get public support while pupils have spoken to people face-to-face to get their support.

Posters are being printed to help promote the RNTA's “It's Plenty Stick to 20” campaign, which will be placed in pubs, shops and even chemists.

RNTA chairman Peter Kirkpatrick said only 17 people had signed the online petition he started earlier this year after Hemsby man Kelvin Nicholls contacted him to complain about the 40mph speed limit around Rollesby Primary School, which his granddaughter attends.

Last week Sue Pickles, head at Rollesby Primary, said she would support the campaign because she wanted the 40mph speed limit in Main Road alongside her school reduced to ensure pupils' safety.

To sign the petition, visit http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/stick-to-20/.