NEW 20MPH zones could soon be implemented around more of Bradford's schools.

Bradford Council is proposing to implement new lower speed limits around a number of schools in the Bradford West, Bradford East and Keighley constituencies of the district to reduce accidents by encouraging people to slow down.

The authority says that 20mph zones elsewhere in the district have proved effective at "protecting the most vulnerable road users, including children, pedestrians and cyclists."

As well as road safety benefits, the Council says 20mph zones also encourage people to walk and cycle more, helping people to lead healthier lives.

The areas where the new 20mph school zones are proposed have been selected to include streets where the existing road layout and levels of on-street parking already mean that people drive at 20mph or less.

Some additional calming measures are also proposed as well as extra signs and road-markings to highlight the new speed limits.

The proposals are part of Bradford Council’s ongoing Safer Roads initiative and follows on from the successful introduction of 20mph schemes in recent years at a number of schools across the district and in Bradford city centre and Shipley town centre.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration Planning and Transport, said: “There is real evidence that even relatively small reductions in speed can decrease the rate and severity of collisions, and that 20mph zones are effective at protecting our most vulnerable road users. They also have a positive impact on people’s physical and mental health.”

Consultation on the proposed changes will run until April 15.

Details of the proposed speed changes can be found here: https://www.bradford.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/highways/traffic-regulation-order/

Details of the proposed traffic calming changes can be found here: https://www.bradford.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/highways/traffic-calming-and-pedestrian-crossings/

The schools where the new 20mph zones are being proposed are:

Feversham College

Abbey Green Nursery

All Saints' CE Primary (Bradford)

Atlas Community Primary School

Bankfoot Primary

Canterbury Children's Centre

Carlton Bolling College

Dixons City Academy

Dixons Manningham Academy

Fearnville Primary

Green Lane Primary School

Horton Park Primary School

Iqra Academy

Keighley St Andrew's CE Primary

Miriam Lord Community Primary

Newby Primary

Oasis Academy Lister Park

Peel Park Primary

Princeville Primary

St Bede's & St Joseph's Catholic College

St William's Catholic Primary

Westbourne Primary School

Westminster CE Primary Academy

Our Lady of Roman Catholic Primary Victories School