Longden CE Primary School, just outside Shrewsbury in Shropshire, is going the extra mile to improve safety for children and locals. As part of this initiative, they are going to install new speed restrictions, as well. We expect to make these changes by March. This pilot is the first piece of a bigger plan that will ultimately affect 20 schools across the metropolitan area.
To enable these safety improvements, Longden CE Primary School will have new signage and road markings installed. This initiative lays out a 20mph speed limit as the default. Its main purpose is to ensure that schoolchildren, local residents, and other road users are protected from dangers during peak periods.
The realization of these modifications will occur at the same time as required roadway construction surrounding the school. Shrewsbury Road will be closed from October 29 to October 31, with work scheduled to take place between 09:30 BST and 15:00 BST each day. Traffic/construction impact in the surrounding area Considerable traffic/construction impact outside construction zone due to closure. In turn, Shropshire Council plans to install a signed diversion for pedestrians during this period.
Caroline Higgins, clerk of Longden Parish Council, made clear how much it would have helped to have advance notice about the roadworks. She noted, “The school will be kept informed nearer the time and will be able to share the information with parents.”
These roadworks are key to ensuring the new 20mph speed limit can be rolled out successfully by March. Since then, delays have been experienced with equipment deliveries still pending, leading to dramatic impacts in the middle of the school term. Once the job is done, we will be using portable traffic signals. This will allow us to complete the electrical connections and punch in the new signs.
The open wooden fencing on either side of the road and the large school sign approaching Longden CE Primary School will remain during construction. This is how we’re making sure aesthetic features stay aesthetic, not experimental, from concept to deployment. The council has reassured residents that any modifications to the planned works will be communicated through yellow advance warning signs and updates on the One Network roadworks website.
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