WIREDGOV

Transport Minister, Edwina Hart, has announced a £4.5m three-year programme to improve safety at more than 40 schools on trunk roads throughout Wales, mostly through the use of part-time 20mph speed limits.

Following a Welsh Government review of safety on walking and cycling routes to schools on Wales’ trunk road network, 56 schools were identified as having potential for road safety improvements. Earlier this year part-time advisory 20mph speed limits were introduced at eight schools, and they are now in the process of being made permanent.

The Minister announced 41 more schools would receive part time 20mph limits, three will get engineering measures to improve safety and four had no measures identified but will now be part of discussions with the local authority about what else can be done to improve safety. The work will be completed over the next three years.

Part time limits work through the use of electronic signs that indicate the 20mph speed limits during school pick-up and drop-off times. Outside of those times the usual speed limits will apply.

Mrs Hart said:

“Evidence shows that 20mph speed limits can improve driver behaviour and reduce speeds around schools. However due to the nature of the trunk road network and some of the long distance journeys undertaken we need to balance the need of the drivers and that is where part-time 20mph speed limits can play a part.

As well as improving safety and saving lives I hope this will enable more children and young people to walk or cycle to school. Where appropriate we have also identified engineering works to encourage active travel to schools. I am committed to improving safety on our trunk road network and for the communities that live nearby.”

The eight schools who already have part time 20mph limits in place are:

Ceredigion
• Ysgol Gynradd Penllwyn
• Ysgol Gynradd Talybont
• Ysgol Gynradd Llanarth

Gwynedd
• Ysgol Y Glanllwyd
• Ysgol Gynradd Bontnewydd
• Ysgol OM Edwards Lanuwchllyn

Powys
• Newbridge on Wye CIW School
• Llanelwedd CIW School

The 41 schools to have part-time 20mph speed limits introduced are:

Carmarthenshire
• Ysgol Gynradd Ty-croes
• Ysgol Rhys Pritchard
• Ysgol Teilo Sant
• Llandeilo C.P. School
• Ysgol Gynradd Parcyrhun
• Llandybie Primary School

Ceredigion
• Ysgol Llanfarian
• Y.G. Rhydypennau
• Penparc C.P. School
• St Padarns R.C.P. School
• Y.G. Llangynfelyn
• Ysgol Gynradd Aberaeron
• Ysgol Gynradd Llannon
• Ysgol Syr John Rhys
• Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig

Conwy
• Ysgol Gynradd Betws y Coed

Denbighshire
• Ysgol Bro Elwern
• Ysgol Brynhyfryd
• Ruthin School - Privately Funded

Gwynedd
• Ysgol Bro Cynfal
• Ysgol Manod
• Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd

Pembrokeshire
• Holy Name Catholic Primary School
• Ysgol Gynradd Eglwyswrw
• Ysgol Bro Gwaun
• Milford Haven Comprehensive School

Powys
• Banw C.P. School
• Crickhowell C.P. School
• Ysgol Bro Ddyfi
• Ysgol Gynradd Carno
• Llanfair Caereinion C.P. School
• Machynlleth C.P. School
• Buttington / Trewern C.P. School
• Ysgol Glantwymyn
• Irfon Valley C.P. School
• Gungrog C.I.W. Infant School
• Llandrindod Wells C.I.W. School Trefonnen
• Archdeacon Griffiths C.I.W. Primary
• Caereinion High School
• Builth Wells High School
• Crossgates C.P. School

Schools to receive engineering measures to improve safety:

Monmouthshire
• Haberdashers' Agincourt School - Improved crossing point and enhanced verge
• Llanfihangel Crucorney C.P. School - Pedestrian refuge to be provided through Community Safety programme

Pembrokeshire
• Fishguard Primary School - Provision dropped kerbs and waiting restrictions. The school will be covered by full time 20mph speed limit in Fishguard.