Minutes

Councillor R Mogford asked:

Having asked a question at full council regarding 20mph speed limits at the entrances to Langstone Primary School, I received the following response from your colleague, Councillor Jeavons.

"In response to your supplementary question raised at Council on the 20th July 2021

regarding the setting of highway speed limits at Langstone School. I can confirm the pedestrian entrance to Langstone School is covered by a 20mph zone and traffic calming. There are additional entrances (off road) off Old Roman Road and Robin

Hood Lane are for vehicular access. These roads do not carry footways."

In your role as Cabinet Member for Education my question is; can you lend support to this local campaign to reduce the speed limit on the Old Roman Road? I can only infer from their response that the Cabinet Member for City Services is not minded to support or can even see the need to make school entrances/exits as safe as possible. I note also that given the Old Roman Road does not have pavements/footways, the need for reduced traffic speeds is even more critical.

On a similar but wider note, are you convinced that all schools in Newport benefit from the correct speed limits (ideally 20mph) at their entrances/exits?

 Councillor D Davies responded:

The school entrance off Old Roman Road serves as the school vehicular entrance and along with Old Roman Road, so does not have pedestrian separation or footway provision.

The promoted pedestrian learner entrance is via Tregarn Road which is fully traffic calmed and carries a 20mph speed limit. Additionally, where children travel to school by car, the school provides separate vehicular drop facilities via Robin Hood Lane.

You will be aware that Welsh Government has confirmed its intention to reduce the national default speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in Wales.

I have been informed that the section of Old Roman Road that passes the school currently carries a 30mph and will therefore be assessed as part of the planned introduction of the new default speed limit.

Notwithstanding the outcome of the assessment, this access is not promoted for pedestrian access due to the lack of pedestrian facilities both on and off site.

With regard to the provision of 20mph at schools across the city and in line with current guidance on the setting of speed limits and assessments of suitability and need, approximately 51% of schools have 20mph speed limits at their main learner entrances.

However, it is anticipated that the introduction of the new default 20mph speed limit and accompanying guidance, will enable a review of school sites across the city.