Drivers near schools face 20mph limit

Speed limits may be lowered to 20mph near schools and on village roads in the Wyre Forest area as part of a drive to improve safety.

Moves to slow down traffic are being considered by highways chiefs who say speed is to blame for up to 36 per cent of all deaths and injuries on the roads. Road safety experts want to see a 40 per cent reduction in these numbers and a cut of 50 per cent in collisions involving children. A strategy is due to be considered by councillors on Thursday.

This will set new speed limits for some roads and includes plans to encourage drivers and motorcyclists to travel at sensible speeds.

They are considering the introduction of 20mph zones near schools and along residential roads.

The use of more vehicle-activated warning signs, work to narrow carriageways, mark road surfaces, and improve road safety education is also being discussed.

A pilot scheme using signs which flash warnings at speeding cars has recently been introduced in some local villages.

Councillor Derek Prodger, the county's cabinet member for the environment, said: "It is widely recognised that inappropriate speed plays an important part in both the frequency and severity of road traffic collisions.

"This strategy is just one of many steps we have taken to balance the needs of traffic flow with the safety of all road users by applying consistent and coherent speed management policies throughout the county.

"This will be achieved through the setting of appropriate speed limits and by encouraging drivers and riders, by the use of engineering, education and enforcement, to travel within those speed limits at a level appropriate to the environment and prevailing conditions.

"Reducing the number and severity of collisions and casualties and improving the quality of life in local communities are just some of the benefits of the strategy which I will be recommending for approval at the meeting."

The draft document has been produced in response to a call by the Department for Transport to local highway authorities to review speed limits.

Any changes to speed limits are expected to be introduced before 2011.