CAMPAIGNERS are stepping up their efforts to force drivers to cut their speed outside two York schools.

A petition calling for the stretch of road outside Fishergate Primary School and St George’s RC Primary School to be made a 20mph zone is to be delivered to City of York Council’s transport chiefs tomorrow.

More than 100 worried parents, backed by local councillors, say the time has come for pupils to be given the sort of added protection against traffic which is currently in place near many other schools across the city.

Fishergate councillor Andy D’Agorne said that while improvements to a nearby stretch of Fulford Road and the Fishergate gyratory system may be in the pipeline, they did not include any mention of the possible introduction of a 20mph limit.

He said: “This is a narrow, busy road, with crossings, shops and schools, and a short section with a 20mph limit, as is in place outside most other schools in the city, would make sense to everybody and could save lives.

He also said not enforcing a lower speed limit on the section of the route from Cemetery Road to Fishergate Primary School would undermine any benefits gained from introducing new cycle lanes in Fulford Road, which are part of the potential raft of improvements.

Fishergate councillor Dave Taylor said: “I have seen accidents in the area and although, thankfully, there has yet to be a serious accident at the school, we shouldn’t have to wait for this to happen before something is done. There are times of the day when it can be dangerous and a 20mph route should be implemented, and looking into the level of concern from parents when approached about the idea, it is not just a few people who feel this way.”