OVER 20 new speed limit zones are set to be put in place around Bradford schools to improve road safety.

Bradford Council says work will begin this month to install 24 new 20mph speed limit zones, some of which will include traffic calming measures such as speed bumps.

High-risk areas have been prioritised in order to protect children most at risk.

The zones take in as much of the surrounding area as possible so children walking to school benefit from reduced speeds for the whole of their walk.

Over 7,000 households will be included.

Evidence shows 20mph zones reduce both the incidence and severity of road traffic collisions and also improve air quality.

Similar zones are already in place at a significant number of schools across the district as well as large 20mph zones in Bradford city and Shipley town centres.

A 20mph zone for Ilkley town centre is expected to be delivered in 2023 as part of the same programme.

The new zones will complement a range of work Bradford Council and its partners undertake to improve road safety including a programme of education, training and publicity in schools and colleges.

This includes practical pedestrian training, bikeability and indoor lessons which focus on helping our children and young people form good road safety habits and become safe road users. 

The authority and its partners also run wider campaigns encouraging everyone to use the roads safely and considerately.

Work on the new 20mph zones should be complete by early 2023.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “Safety is our number one priority and these new speed reduction zones should substantially reduce injuries and deaths around schools.

“They also have an additional benefit of improving air quality which is especially important around schools.

“When combined with education and enforcement, these new zones should make our district’s children safer and healthier.”

The schools affected by the zones include All Saints' CE Primary,  Princeville Primary, St William's Catholic Primary, Carlton Bolling College, Fearnville Primary, Keighley St Andrew's CE Primary, Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary School, Feversham College, Peel Park Primary, Westminster Church of England Primary, Academy, Abbey Green Nursery, Atlas Community Primary, Dixons Manningham Academy, Green Lane Primary, Iqra Academy, Miriam Lord Community Primary, Oasis Academy Lister Park, St Bede`s and St Joseph's Catholic College, Westbourne Primary, Bankfoot Primary, Canterbury Children's Centre, Dixons City Academy, Horton Park Primary and Newby Primary.