The petition of residents of the Suffolk Coastal constituency,
Declares that there is growing concern about the prevalence of speeding and dangerous driving near primary schools across the constituency, which puts the safety of children, parents, and school staff at serious risk. This petition further declares that many schools lack adequate road safety measures such as 20mph zones, pedestrian crossings, speed enforcement, and safe walking routes.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to ensure Suffolk County Council prioritises the safety of children by developing and publishing a tailored road safety action plan for every primary school in the Suffolk Coastal constituency.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, Official Report, 16 September 2025; Vol. 772, c. 1465.]
[P003114]
Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood):
Local traffic authorities have the power to set 20 mph speed limits where people and traffic mix, for example outside schools. They can also set enforceable 20 mph limits that apply only at certain times of day, such as at school drop-off and pick-up times.
They are asked to have regard to the Department’s guidance on setting local speed limits at
www.gov.uk/government/publications/setting-local-speed-limits which is designed to make sure that speed limits are appropriately and consistently set while allowing for flexibility to deal
with local circumstances, but the final decision is for the traffic authority, working with the police who would carry out any enforcement.
Local authorities are also free to make their own decisions about the design of the streets under their care, provided they take account of the relevant legislation. A range of traffic management tools are available to them to improve safety near schools, including traffic calming, pedestrian crossings and school streets. The Government expect local authorities like Suffolk county council to work with the local parents and children in Suffolk Coastal to address their concerns about road safety in their local area.
The Government believe the legislation and guidance already in place is appropriate to allow local authorities to implement suitable traffic calming measures based on local needs and priorities.