TEN schools are celebrating after being selected to become 20mph zones as part of a road safety initiative.

The borough’s local highways panel has agreed to spend £50,000 on signage and road design to slow drivers down outside primary schools.

Further funding could be made available to extend the scheme if it is deemed to be a success.

Hilltop Junior School, Wickford, is one of the schools which will benefit, with 20mph signs being put up in Hill Avenue, Mercury Close, Beauchamps Drive, Glencoe Drive and Redgate Close.

Headteacher Alison Waite said: “This is something we have been campaigning for, together with the community, for the last four years because it will make such a difference in terms of safety.

“It will ensure safety of everyone who comes to the school. We are very pleased.”

As part of the changes speed bumps will be put in to help police the speed limits.

Highways panel member Kerry Smith, county councillor for Westley Heights, said: “It is a bit like a no smoking sign because it gets people to change their behaviour.

“Kids can run out between cars and you often get irresponsible parking, so a 20mph zone will ensure if someone is hit, they have a better chance of surviving.”

Echo:

Great Berry Primary School, in Langdon Hills, will have a 20mph zone implemented in Forest Glade and surrounding cul-de-sacs.

Headteacher Damian Pye said: “It gets busy out there before and after school, so any reduction in speed is going to make it safer for pupils.Ithink it is going to be brilliant for the children.”

The local highways panel is given a £1million annual budget for road schemes in Basildon borough.

Mr Smith added: “I think it will be successful.”