PARENTS and children at two York schools are feeling the benefit of new safety measures on one of the city’s busiest roads.

The stretch of Fishergate which passes St George’s and Fishergate Primary Schools has reopened following a facelift which included the introduction of a 20mph speed limit, a new zebra crossing and an air-quality monitoring station.

The reduced speed limit was put in place after ward councillors and campaigners petitioned for it.

Andy D’Agorne, one of the Green Party’s candidates for Fishergate, said: “I would like to pay tribute to the work of City of York Council officers in responding to feedback and creating a design which gives Fishergate a more human feel on this short stretch of busy road.

“We know local shops thrive when people feel able to walk and cycle in a neighbourhood. We’ve seen too many small shops struggling to survive, and by making the street scene more people-friendly, we are helping to protect local traders and encouraging their owners to invest in tidying up their frontages.”

Mr D’Agorne said he had also asked the council’s parking services department to carry out checks on parking offences near the schools.