Ten new 20mph zones to be introduced near Sunderland Schools

20mph zones are set to be introduced outside of ten schools across Sunderland

Sunderland City Council is introducing the zones to improve road safety in the areas.

Work has started on introducing a 20mph speed limit outside of the following schools:

Ashbrooke School

Farringdon Academy

Fulwell Juniors

Houghton Community Nursery

Portland Academy

Redby Primary and St Benets RC

Springwell Dene Link School

St Anthony’s and Thornhill Academy

St John Boste RC

St Joseph’s RC

When the work is finished the majority of the city’s schools will have a 20mph zone on the neighbouring roads.

The new 20mph areas have gateway signs which signal the start and end points of the zones with 20mph lettering on the ground throughout.

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Councillor Rebecca Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Dynamic City at Sunderland City Council said the new measures will protect children.

She said: "These 20mph traffic schemes can improve road safety and reduce the severity of injuries if an accident does occur.

"Placing these zones outside schools helps us to not only protect children, but also other vulnerable road users such as the elderly and those who have hearing and visual impairments.

"Research shows that slower traffic speeds help to reduce the risk of collisions and injuries and ultimately make our streets safer."

The council said that speed restrictions have also been shown to make areas more attractive places to live, and that having 20mph speed zones in an area helps to encourage people to take up cycling or walking which benefits the wider community.