Zones bid to cut speeding (From Western Telegraph)

Zones bid to cut speeding

Low-speed zones could be set up outside Pembrokeshire's schools and libraries as part of a National Assembly scheme to cut road accidents.

The 'slower speeds for safer streets' initiative has provided the county council with £59,000 to spend on reducing speed in 'key local areas'. Local AM, Dr Richard Edwards, welcomed the move saying: "It will now be up to the council to find new and exciting ways of using this funding to reduce speed in areas where people are vulnerable, such as near schools or in residential areas."

A council is currently deciding how to spend the money. Alison Birkett, AA spokesman for South West Wales, said a fluctuating speed limit was the most workable solution. Such a move would see a lower speed limit enforced outside schools on weekdays but the normal limit in place on weekends and during holidays.

Ms Birkett said: "This kind of limit is generally observed by motorists as they understand why it is in place. It would be very difficult to win motorists over with a full-time 20 mph limit."

She added that any speed controls would probably have to be 'self enforcing', making use of road-narrowing, bollards and chicanes to make driving at high speeds more difficult.

Despite existing traffic control measures, many parents create dangerous situations by parking in restricted areas while dropping children off at school.

The council has passed on concerns about school-run congestion to the police.