‘20’s Plenty’ around Ipswich schools

25 safety zones are to be created outside Ipswich schools over the next month in a joint initiative between Suffolk County Council and Ipswich Borough Council. The initiative will be marketed under the slogan ‘20’s Plenty’ and was launched at Rose Hill Primary School on 1 March.

Each zone comprises an area in the vicinity of a school identified by School Safety Zone signs, a coloured road surface and dragons’ teeth markings.

The ‘20’s Plenty’ publicity campaign is being used to further highlight the zones to drivers. At the campaign launch over 200 Rose Hill pupils formed a giant number 20 on the playground to encourage drivers to travel at less than 20mph in the zones.

"The aim of the zone is to make drivers much more aware that they are in an area where children may be present," said Tony Lewis, Suffolk County Council portfolio holder for children and young people.

"We want to build a virtuous circle of safety. By reducing vehicle speeds we will create a safer environment where people feel able to walk and cycle to school, which will in turn reduce the number of vehicles in the area."

Speed checks were carried out at every school in Ipswich in July 2003 and as a result schools were divided into three groups, according to passing vehicle speeds. Schools in the first group have average speeds above 20mph and these have been selected for the School Safety Zone treatment.

The second group includes schools where accidents have occurred around entrances, and where there are instances of high speeds. Traffic calming works and 20mph speed limits are proposed for these schools later in 2004.

Schools in the third group are located within existing 20mph speed limits, or in cul-de-sacs. No work is planned at these schools.

"School safety zones are part of the Ipswich Child Casualty Reduction Strategy," said Harold Mangar, Ipswich Borough Council portfolio holder for environment & transport. "The project draws together engineers and road safety specialists to work alongside the police and teachers to achieve a safer travelling environment for children."

The project also includes traffic education work and an improved cyclist-training scheme for pupils.

For further information contact Daryl Fraser, Daryl.Fraser@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk.