Children help drive home speeding message

Pupils from St John’s Church of England Primary School at Bierley created posters to warn drivers about the dangers of exceeding the limit.

The youngsters displayed the banners during a recent speed watch with Police Community Support Officer Ian Hodgson, of the Tong and Wyke neighbourhood policing team.

Pcso Hodgson said the pupils really made an impact with their work.

He said: “The banners which the children produced were extremely eye catching and did the job in warning motorist about their speed.”

As the youngsters displayed their banners outside the school at the junction of Dawson Lane and Burnham Avenue, Pcso Hodgson helped them to use a mobile speed camera.

About 50 vehicles were checked and one driver was stopped and spoken to about the manner of the driving.

Pcso Hodgson said: “Speeding is an issue which the community have highlighted at their local meetings and which they would like to see addressed as a priority.

“I therefore decided to work alongside the pupils at the school to get the message across, as it is often they who are directly affected by the consequences.

“During the times when parents drop off and pick up their children, it can be extremely busy and potentially dangerous,” he explained.

“A few miles per hour can sometimes mean the difference between life and death which is why we really wanted to hit the message home in this way.”

Officers hope to minimise the chance of any accidents.

Pcso Hodgson said: “This is just one part of our continued work with schools in the area to address concerns such as speeding and illegal parking. Hopefully the children’s efforts will now stick in the minds of drivers and make them think twice when putting their foot to the pedal.”