Information on Loughborough

School children in Loughborough warn motorists to slow down

Posted on 21/04/2009

police,constabulary,leicestershire police School children in Loughborough warn motorists to slow down

The police are working with young people from Youth Zone in Loughborough to tackle parking and speeding problems outside primary schools in the area.

During a Youth Zone project called, ‘My Street, young people who use the youth club on the Old Ashby Road were asked to identify issues that concerned them.  One of them was speeding.

As a result, the neighbourhood beat officers for Sharpley and Garendon and pupils from Boothwood Primary will be using a hand held radar speed gun to catch speeding motorists outside the school.   PC 655 Jim Harvey and PCSO 6050 Danielle Bevan, will show pupils how the radar works.  They will then approach motorists who are caught driving too fast and the children will tell the driver, "You could have killed me."

The Project Manager for Youth Zone, Sandie Gough, said; "We asked young people what issues they had and now we are addressing those issues.  It is great to be able to listen to young people and act upon their concerns.  It proves to them that they can have a voice and they can make a difference."

PC Harvey and PCSO Bevan will also be carrying out high visibility patrols at drop off and pick up times.  They will be talking to, and ticketing, motorists who park illegally or cause an unnecessary obstruction by parking on the yellow ‘zig zag lines, which are intended to restrict parking so that pedestrians can cross safely.  PCSOs will also be giving out advice leaflets to parents entitled, ‘Dont be a school gate parker!"

PC Jim Harvey said; "This campaign has been driven by young people who go to the youth club at The Hut.  Many of them also live near the school or are pupils at it. 

"At the end of the day, parents, or motorists, who speed or park illegally outside our primary schools, are putting childrens lives at risk and we will do what we can to avoid having an injured or dead child.  There is something very powerful about being told by a young child that you could have killed them and I am hoping that strong message will drive home the importance of driving carefully and considerately."

"We are also working with the school and talking to pupils about being aware of road safety issues and the best way to cross the road safely."