Stroud’s County Councillor is urging drivers to be mindful of children’s safety on the roads after the clocks go back on Sunday.
Cllr Natalie Rothwell-Warn (Green) says that the combination of darker afternoons and colder weather can mean greater risks for the many children who walk or cycle to and from school.
Former teacher Cllr Rothwell-Warn, who chairs the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny committee at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We’ve three secondary schools, as well as Stroud College, which are located on some of the busiest roads in the area. Pupils and students walk alongside, cycle on or cross these roads. My biggest concern is where children and young people cross the roads at Wallbridge, where there are several mini roundabouts, in order to catch a bus at Merrywalks or to get to the train station. As locals know, this particular point is where drivers need to be vigilant and have extra patience.”
Referring to the council’s Community 20s scheme, which is rolling out 20mph speed limits in urban areas, she said: “The evidence is clear that lower speeds save lives so I’d urge drivers to be mindful of the limits, be patient and drive particularly carefully near schools.”
Earlier this year, Cllr Rothwell-Warn supported local residents in their campaign to reduce speed limits on Bisley Old Road, a main road that children have to cross to get to and from one of the local schools.
Her latest advice comes as Gloucestershire County Council issued a video (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PHsowVOmTmo) featuring children’s messages about staying safe on and around Gloucestershire’s roads.
The children share their pleas for drivers to turn their headlights on, keep their windscreens clear and not be distracted by their phones – and talk about how they will make themselves more visible on the roads.
Cllr Rothwell-Warn said: “I hope the video will raise awareness of the dangers, among all road users, whether in a vehicle, on foot, on bike or on horseback – and encourage them all to take steps to keep everyone safe as our nights get longer.”