School Streets progress welcomed by Helen Morgan

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has welcomed the news that four primary schools in her constituency are set to benefit from School Streets trails funded by the Department for Transport.

School Streets are streets outside school gates that have temporary restrictions on motorised traffic during school drop-off and pick-up times, with exceptions made for permit holders.

The idea was brought to Shropshire Council in a motion by Liberal Democrat Councillor David Vasmer back in 2020, and accepted by the administration.

The four schools set to benefit from a 20mph zone are Gobowen Primary School, Woodside Primary School, Whitchurch Junior School, and Market Drayton Junior School.

Helen has heard from constituents all across North Shropshire who are concerned about road safety and inappropriate speed limits that are in place near schools and on dangerous rural roads.

Whilst welcoming this as a positive step, the MP has urged Shropshire Council to move faster and implement lower speed limits and safer drop-off points at even more schools across the county – whether that is in or outside of the DfT funded scheme.

Helen Morgan, MP for North Shropshire, said, “Road safety is a key issue for people across North Shropshire, and in particular for families at the school gate. It is good to see progress on the School Streets scheme in Gobowen, Oswestry, Whitchurch and Market Drayton. This has been long-awaited by many parents and pupils.

“The progress here is a testament to positive cross-party work. The idea was first brought to Shropshire Council when Liberal Democrats proposed a motion calling for School Streets back in 2020, and has since then received support from the administration who are implementing it.

“This news is very welcome but I would strongly urge Shropshire Council to implement slower speed limits and safer drop-off points at even more schools as soon as possible. Myddle Primary and Lower Heath Primary are just two examples that could benefit from a similar set of proposals, but were not eligible for this pot of funding.”