20mph speed limit could make Oswaldtwistle school safer (From Lancashire Telegraph)

20mph speed limit could make Oswaldtwistle school safer

5:30pm Thursday 24th May 2012 in Oswaldtwistle By Emma Cruces, Reporter

20mph speed limit could make Oswaldtwistle school safer

PROPOSALS could see speeding motorists slo-wed down outside a primary school where ‘near misses’ are said to be a regular occurance.

New restrictions could be brought in along White Ash Lane in Oswaldtwistle after highways chiefs agreed to review the 30mph speed limit in favour of 20mph.

The road, which leads up to Moor End Primary School, features a blind bend.

Problems on the road are exacerbated by children crossing behind numerous parked vehicles near the school.

The 20mph scheme is currently under consultation and could be in place by September.

County and ward councillor Peter Britcliffe has been campaigning for action along the stretch of road for the past few years.

He said he was frequently contacted by residents when they witness dangerous incidents on the road.

He said: “I am so relieved that action is finally being taken at the school before a fatality occurs.

“Only this morning I was again contacted by a resident who said she had seen a lady very nearly knocked down. It’s amazing news, because these things have to be done before something happens, not afterwards.

“The problem with this street is that cars are parked right along it and this is made worse by the fact it is very narrow and winding.

“The blind bend is a spot where an accident has been waiting to happen for many years. Twenty mph is a much more suitable speed limit.”

Headteacher at the school Andy Martin said: “It’s a very narrow stretch and it is bad parking we suffer with the most, as do most schools. Twenty mph is accepted as a good speed limit on roads near to schools and it can only help with traffic calming.”