Surrey County Council (SCC) has spent £3 million to boost road safety measures around 14 schools across the area. As part of the initiative, new, safer, and more accessible routes will be developed for students, parents and staff to use. SCC is dedicated to ensuring that safe routes to school are a top priority. These improvements range from lowering speeds on streets to installing new zebra crossings.
The safety improvements were carefully placed along roads surrounding the campuses of each of these schools. Over the past few years, most of these major roads have received 20mph reductions. Along with these redesigns, four new zebra crossings have been added. SCC is implementing these altruistic changes to improve security for all users. After all, they’re the ones who are most committed to making sure that routes to and from schools are safe.
Cllr Matt Furniss, SCC’s cabinet member for highways, transport and economic growth, said the importance of these steps could not be overstated.
"Making routes to and from schools safer for children, parents and carers is a key priority for both the council and local residents." – Matt Furniss
A long-awaited series of upgrades are still only the beginning. Over the next year, eight additional schools will undergo these important safety improvements. SCC is taking a proactive role in making these future improvements. Their overall objective is to increase safety near schools and other facilities that serve children.
The pilot has been popular with local residents who are just as concerned about the safety of school routes as the council. The council and the community are rising to the occasion. Their collaboration is a powerful reminder of the commitment to better protect our schoolchildren in a safer environment.
