John fights for lower speed limit outside Ravenfield school

MP John Healey is campaigning for the speed limit outside Ravenfield Primary School to be lowered.

The current speed limit on Moor Lane North is 40mph but the MP wants it brought down to 20mph during drop-off and pick-up times at the beginning and end of the school day.

The campaign is supported by the school, governors and parents and nearly 300 people have signed a petition.

Mr Healey said: “I want children to be safe getting to and from school.

“I am glad to have the school’s strong support and am encouraged by the headway we are making.

“But Rotherham Council have told me evidence of local concern and support is important, which is why I want people to let me know if they back the campaign.”

The MP has had meetings at Rotherham Council with the senior director, officer and cabinet member responsible.

He has delivered leaflets around Ravenfield letting people know about the campaign and inviting them to return a form if they back it.

In addition, the school has carried out a survey of 85 parents. All said they were concerned about road safety outside Ravenfield Primary and 92% thought the speed limit was too high.

Linda Davis, headteacher at Ravenfield Primary School, said: “Parents have been concerned for many years over the road safety of their children especially to and from school. Their main concern has been to reduce the speed limit of traffic passing the school. We want to do whatever we can to ensure the safety of all our children.”

According to a report about speed limits to Rotherham Council’s cabinet in January, cutting traffic speed reduces collisions and where they do occur there is a reduced risk of fatal and serious injury.

20mph schemes in other parts of Rotherham have cut collisions by up to 100%.