The Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith visited Harrogate to mark the region's 'most significant' new 20mph zone.
David was joined by local schoolchildren, educators, politicians and community came together to mark the milestone.
Phase 1 of the scheme, which includes 20mph across 200 streets, has been delivered by North Yorkshire Council to create a safer environment for schoolchildren attending the schools and the college in the area.
This month, schoolchildren were able to make their way to primary and secondary school (some for the very first time) along safer streets with reduced speed limits following the delivery of Phase 1 of the scheme in the southwest Harrogate 20mph zone.
Speed limits were reduced across the zone to benefit 4,000 school children and students attending schools and college in the area - Oatlands Infant School, Oatlands Junior School, St Aidan’s Church of England School, Harrogate College and St John Fisher’s Catholic High School.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Malcolm Taylor, said:
“We are delighted to see the successful roll-out of the first phase of the 20mph speed limit scheme, and the benefits are clear with the start of the new school year.
“We have worked with communities to deliver the initiative, which aims to create safer streets and promote active travel options such as walking and cycling.
“It paves the way for the second phase of the project, where traffic calming measures could be introduced to lower speeds on more roads.”
Phase 2 will see 20mph delivered in an area used by 5,000 schoolchildren attending Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett School, Rossett Acre Primary School, Ashville College and Western Primary School, as well as those using Rossett and Ashville Sports Centres.
Support for the full approved scheme came from right across the community, with campaign petitions jointly receiving over 1,800 signatures of support from residents, schools, parents and cross-party politicians.
The scheme was heavily supported by 13 local headteachers and educators many of whom had called for safer streets for many years well before the campaign.
Oatlands & Pannal Ash Road Safety & Active Travel Campaigners Hazel, Ruth & Jenny said:
“We are delighted to see Phase 1 of the 20mph zone in southwest Harrogate delivered and wholeheartedly welcome it. It will bring a safer environment for the schoolchildren and our local community.
"It’s the result of a collaborative effort between the local community, parents, educators, local politicians and North Yorkshire Council and we look forward to the delivery of Phase 2 to bring about safer streets for the other schools in the area and the rest of the community.”
This scheme has schools and the community at its heart, aiming to give young people a safe environment to make their way to and from school, to meet with friends and attend after school clubs.
It will have a significant impact to both safety, health and well-being encouraging independence and outdoor activity, as well as improving the overall feel of the local area for everyone’s benefit.
It will also provide the foundations for more people to use active ways to travel around the community for short journeys.
Richard Sheriff, Chief Executive Officer, Red Kite Learning Trust & Chair of the Schools Road Safety Group:
“It is wonderful to see the speed restrictions in place and a credit to the tireless campaigning of the group.
"The job is not finished however, and we need to see the scheme extended into the Rossett area so children attending all the schools there are protected too.”
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