CALLS to introduce a lower speed limit outside schools in Selby have been made by a district and county councillor.

The calls for a 20mph limit have been welcomed by head teachers around the district.

Coun Steve Shaw-Wright, deputy leader of the county Labour group, said: “Given that North Yorkshire has one of the worst road casualty rates in the UK, more must be done to tackle road accidents. The cost of each road accident far outweighs the cost of mitigating measures.

“One way forward would be to introduce 20mph limits around schools. I am aware that this reduction in speed is in place in some areas in the district but not all.

“One notable exception is that of Selby High School, where hundreds of young people travel to and from school most days.”

Paul Eckersley, head teacher at Selby High, said representatives from the school had been campaigning for a 20mph limit outside the area for several years, and he welcomed Coun Shaw-Wright’s fresh call.

He said: “One would hope it would be nearer now someone who sits on the county council is backing it, but we have to view these things with an economic head on. We realise money is tight, but what we don’t want to happen is for there to be a tragedy which could be avoided which would ensure the works get done.”

Jo Jennings, head teacher at Selby Abbey Primary School, also backed the call, welcoming “anything that helps to improve the safety of students”.

Martyn Hannan, head teacher of Barlby High School, said the recent diversion of traffic following the closure of the A19 showed how important road safety was outside schools.

He said: “Outside many schools across the country, it is now accepted that a 20mph speed limit is the norm. I welcome the proposals to bring in such a restriction in North Yorkshire.

“Having recently endured the diversion of a major A-road past the school, with all the increased volume and size of vehicles that brought, I think it sensible to put the safety of students first.”