Safer Routes to Schools (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Safer Routes to Schools

January 11, 2005 2:52 PM

North Area councillors last night approved plans for major investment in improving walking routes to Islington Arts and Media Schools (IAMS) and Christ the King Primary School. The project is part of the Liberal Democrat Council's aim to improve road safety in Islington and part of their commitment to the Capital Safer Routes to School Programme.

Councillor Laura Willoughby, Executive member for Communities said.

"The entire project is part of the One Islington vision promoting safe communities and making Islington a greener place to live. By making pedestrian access to the school safer we are encouraging children to walk to school which is beneficial for their health.

"The Safer Routes to School programme will make real improvements to pedestrian safety and generally improve the street environment."

The plan is the result of a consultation with parents of children of the schools, with the schools themselves and residents in the area. The initiative will involve the following developments,

A new 20mph zone outside the schools, Improvements to the existing puffin crossing at Tollington Park,

General work on existing cycle and pedestrian routes.

The Facts

Last year the figures for those killed or seriously injured on the roads fell to 162 below both the national target of 186 and the council's public service agreement targets of 168 for the first time.

Child safety has also dramatically increased. Figures from the first half of last year show that 3 children have been killed and/or seriously injured on borough roads.

Although these are 3 too many this figure shows a 75% reduction from the figures

for the first half of 2003.