There is no single generic approach for the introduction of a 20mph speed restriction, and site-specific characteristics determine the level of intervention that may be required.

In some circumstances this may be physical traffic calming, and in others, current conditions may suggest that a 20mph speed restriction is unnecessary and would deliver minimal benefits.

A substantial programme of data collection and feasibility work has been carried out at all state funded maintained schools and academies that do not currently have a mandatory 20mph speed limit.

In addition, a range of additional data has been reviewed including existing road characteristics and the local environment, parking restrictions, reported personal injury accidents and modal choice for the journey to school.

Some preliminary designs have been produced and we're commissioning further work.

The data collected for each school has been reviewed and a preliminary level of intervention in relation to the introduction of a 20mph speed restriction has been assigned.

In all cases the aim has been to identify appropriate speed reduction measures that will deliver the greatest benefits to the school community, local residents, other highway users and the local environment.

This could be one of the following:

• No further action - current highway conditions already promote low vehicle speeds at school times and a 20mph speed restriction would not offer defined improvements on the current conditions
• Signed-only 20mph speed limit - recorded vehicle speeds sit within the recommended threshold for a 20mph speed restriction without additional traffic calming
• Variable 20mph speed limit - current highway conditions suggest that a 20mph speed restriction that operates at school start and end times only would be most appropriate
• 20mph speed restriction with additional speed reduction measures - recorded vehicle speeds suggest that additional speed reduction measures are required to promote general compliance

The primary focus of the project is speed reduction at school times in line with the council motion. However, any other factors that could be reasonably addressed alongside a 20mph scheme will be considered. Where a speed reduction project is to be taken forward at your school, the development of the scheme could present the school with the following potential benefits:

• The opportunity for the school to actively promote positive traffic behaviour outside of school
• The opportunity for the school to promote active travel to school which can improve the health of pupils, improve air quality outside of school and help to relieve parking pressure
• The opportunity for pupils to be involved in the engagement process or to have access to the traffic data that has been collected. We would be happy to discuss how we can link into the curriculum work in your school

Funding has been made available to commence work at the highest priority schools in 2023. We'll be in touch with individual schools directly to discuss the specific proposals in more detail as they come forward in our programme. We'll also be in touch with local Shropshire Council members and town and parish councils to notify them of any next steps involving their local areas.

In all cases where a new 20mph speed restriction is proposed, a statutory consultation process that includes the neighbouring community and key stakeholders will be carried out.

In order to proceed with the introduction of a speed restriction, we'd be looking for a largely positive response to this consultation. The programme of delivery of schemes will span several years. Where physical traffic calming is proposed, a scheme can typically take up to two years to be delivered due to the amount of detailed design work that is required.

Signed-only speed limits can be delivered more quickly, typically within a year, where no formal objections are received as part of the statutory consultation process. In all cases, opportunities to link with other planned highway work will be explored.

• Adderley Primary School
• Alveley Primary School
• Barrow 1618 Primary Free School
• Bicton Primary School
• Bishop Hooper Primary School - Ashford Carbonel
• Brockton Primary School
• Brown Clee Primary School - Ditton Priors
• Buildwas Academy
• Chirbury Primary School
• Church Preen Primary School
• Church Stretton Secondary
• Claverley Primary School
• Cockshutt Primary School And Nursery
• Ellesmere Primary School
• Hadnall Primary School
• Highley Community Primary School
• Hinstock Primary School
• Hodnet Primary School
• Holy Trinity Primary Academy - Oswestry
• Idsall School - Shifnal
• Kinlet Primary School
• Kinnerley Primary School
• Lakelands Academy - Ellesmere
• Long Mountain Primary School - Worthen
• Longlands Primary School - Market Drayton
• Longnor Primary School
• Lower Heath Primary School
• Lydbury North Primary School
• Market Drayton Junior School
• Morville Primary School
• Myddle Primary School
• Newcastle Primary School
• Norbury Primary School
• Prees Primary School
• Sir John Talbot's School - Whitchurch
• St Edward's Primary School - Dorrington
• St Lawrence Primary
• St Lucia's Primary School & Nursery - Upton Magna
• St Martins 3-16 Community School
• St Mary's Primary School - Bucknell
• St Thomas & St Anne's Primary School - Hanwood
• Stiperstones Primary School
• Stoke-on-tern Primary School - Stoke Heath
• The Community College - Bishops Castle
• The Grove School - Market Drayton
• The Lacon Childe School - Cleobury Mortimer
• The Meadows Primary School - Oswestry
• The Thomas Adams School - Wem
• The Wilfred Owen School - Shrewsbury
• Tilstock Primary School
• Welshampton Primary School
• Weston Rhyn Primary School
• Whitchurch Infant And Nursery Academy
• Whittington Primary School
• Whixall Primary School
• William Brookes School - Much Wenlock
• Woodlands School - Tilley Green
• Woore Primary And Nursery School

Why is my school not on the list?

This could be for the following reasons:

• Your school already has a mandatory 20mph speed restriction in place
• Data collected suggests that current highway conditions already promote low vehicle speeds at school times and a 20mph speed restriction would not offer defined improvements on the current conditions

My school is on the list but I don’t know what’s happening

We'll be in touch with each school on the list above to let you know of the proposed plans when our initial design work commences. This is a rolling programme, so as each stage progresses we'll keep you informed.

How long will this take?

This is a two-to-three-year rolling programme and is dependent on the level of intervention required at each school. Sites with traffic calming measures can take a minimum of two years to be completed.

I'm not sure why my school has been assigned a certain option

Various data collection exercises have been carried out at each school to enable us to understand traffic behaviour at school times. A range of criteria, including Department for Transport guidance, has been used to assign the most appropriate level of intervention for a given location. As design work progresses, further intelligence may suggest an alternative level of intervention.

Is this the same as the School Streets programme?

No. 'School streets' are streets outside of school gates that are pedestrianised (except for permit holders) during school drop off and pick up times.

Six schools are soon to take part in an 18-month School Streets trial, namely:

• Gobowen Primary School
• Market Drayton Junior School
• Woodside Primary School, Oswestry
• Mereside Primary School, Shrewsbury
• Whitchurch Junior School
• Castlefields Primary School, Bridgnorth

There’s an existing 'school street' at Coleham Primary in Shrewsbury

School streets will be enforced using ANPR cameras.

Who can I get in touch with if I want to know more?

The project lead for delivering this programme, Mariah, can be contacted via the following dedicated email address: schoolspeed.restrictionproject@shropshire.gov.uk