REQUEST FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE PLEASE.

Hi, as some of you may know, a year ago I asked West Berkshire Council if the area in front of Park House and Falkland Schools could be made a 20mph zone. It has now been reviewed and the outcome is that the speed limits in the area are below 24mph during school pickup/dropoff times, which is the Government set maximum which would enable this area to have a "20mph when flashing" speed limit during school pick up and drop off times. The biggest problem in this stretch in front of the schools, along with congestion, is that it is often the case that one lane is very slow and the other driving at 30mph. A 20mph limit would assist with reducing the differential in lane speeds. I have seen children waved through one lane by a stationary driver, only to run across both lanes without looking. It is often not possible to speed in this zone, but it would put the responsibility on the car driver, who currently thinks he/she is within their rights to drive at 30mph or as fast as is achievable as this is the speed limit, even though it poses a danger to the children. However, West Berkshire Council did a previous study of 5 schools (not ours) and decided that "20mph when flashing" did not effect the speed, even though larger studies have shown that it does have an effect (albeit limited). Many towns and cities within the UK have already introduced 20mph zones in front of schools. I feel that every case should be considered on its own merit, especially as this request has the support of both Park House and Falkland Schools, and so I am pushing for this to be the case. I have contacted Mr Benyon to ask for his help. However, I am asking if any Falkland and Park House parents would please contact Mr Benyon, make their feelings know and ask him to act on their behalf as this would make my case stronger? His email address is: mp@richardbenyon.com (copy to: Jeanette.Clifford@westberks.gov.uk)

If you are a Hampshire resident then please send your email to Mr Malthouse at kit.malthouse.mp@parliament.uk (copy to: Jeanette.Clifford@westberks.gov.uk)

The final decision is being made mid-Dec and it would make a huge difference to the safety of our children if we could get this through.

Thank you very much and best wishes, Julie