Slow down, for safety's sake

A CAMPAIGN has begun to persuade the government to reduce speed limits on roads around schools around the country to 20mph.

The Rural North Tenants and Residents Association (RNTA), which represents Ormesby and Rollesby among other villages, has so far received support from 13 people for its e-petition on the Prime Minister's 10 Downing Street website.

RNTA chairman Peter Kirkpatrick created the petition after receiving a letter from Hemsby man Kelvin Nicholls who was concerned the safety of his granddaughter was being jeopardised by a 40mph speed limit outside Rollesby Primary School, which she attends.

But rather than restricting his fight to a local level, Mr Fitzpatrick decided to take his campaign, entitled, “It's Plenty, stick to 20,” to the top of government to try and get changes introduced on a national level.

He told an RNTA meeting on Friday that Great Yarmouth MP Tony Wright had conducted a small scale survey among schools to gauge opinion on reducing speed limits and found many schools were in favour.

He said: “If you do get the chance to sign up please do and we are hoping to take the campaign to the national press very soon.”

Mr Kirkpatrick said if necessary the reduced speed limits could be in force while the school was in session and then changed back afterwards.

The Ormesby man told the Mercury earlier this month while he appreciated reducing speed was not a priority for some schools, especially in remote areas with less traffic, there were schools on busy A roads with 40mph limits where the change was needed.

Of the schools in the RNTA's area, only Ormesby Primary School had a 20mph speed limit, while schools in Winterton and Filby had 30mph limits and there was a 40mph speed limit outside Martham Primary School.

To help publicise the campaign, cards will be printed with the petition's website address and distributed to schoolchildren in villages covered by the RNTA.