Sunderland primary pupils are urging motorists to slow down

The youngsters at Woodlea Primary School in Houghton have been making posters and leaflets to urge motorists to think more carefully about their driving.

Now, the children plan to deliver their leaflets to the surrounding properties.

Michelle Edwards, a parent governor at the school, said there have been on-going problems with thoughtless driver, both speeding in the nearby streets and parking issues.

She said the traffic congestion is bad and she fears for the safety of the pupils.

Mrs Edwards said: “The position of the school means it is surrounded by both narrow public roads and main fast flowing roads, where parking, traffic congestion and speed are an on going issue, particularly around drop off and pick up times, when there are lots of children and adults crossing these roads.”

The governor said: “We have tried to request a path to be built on school land to help give the children a safer passage, but it had been rejected by the council and the school do not have the budget for it.”

In a bid to try to raise awareness of the issue, headteacher Philip Adamson, backed by businesses and Durham Constabulary, came up with a competition for the children to design a ‘speed awareness leaflet’.

The winning designs, one from the infants and one from the juniors, were printed up, and prizes were presented during a special assembly.

Mrs Edwards said: “Their leaflets and posters will be distributed to every child within the school and displayed in local businesses and amenities.

“We will also be doing a leaflet drop around the surrounding areas of the school.”

She said she also wanted to thank PBL Print, Birtley for printing the leaflets and Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester, for donating prizes for the winning children.