§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what new measures he plans to improve road safety in the vicinity of schools. [23829]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonMuch of what the Government need to do to improve road safety in the vicinity of schools involves advising local authorities about the measures that are known to be effective.
DETR guidance to local authorities on their 1998–99 TPP submissions stressed the priority we attach to bids that focused on safer routes to school projects. Despite severe financial pressures, we have supported packages which seek to improve the road safety of children going to and from school in Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire and Surrey. Local authorities can also implement safety engineering schemes in the vicinity of schools using the local safety scheme element of their TPP allocation. Self enforcing 20 mph zones, employing traffic calming measures, may be installed to slow traffic in the vicinity of a school. It is for the local highway authority to decide if and where such zones would be suitable.
Helping children develop the skills needed to cope with traffic is a high priority for local authorities. Publicity plays a role and we are launching a new "Hedgehog" child safety campaign later this month promoting the 'Stop. Look, Listen, Live' message.
710WWe are looking at the number, type and effectiveness of measures set up in England and Wales to try to improve the safety of children going to and from school. We will issue guidance to local authorities on this next year.
As part of the work on the road safety strategy we will consider what further measures could be introduced to improve the safety of children on our roads.