Pupils spread the message that ‘20 is plenty’

Primary school pupils in the Sutton area of St Helens joined forces by taking to the streets as part of a road safety campaign.

Co-ordinated by local community group Sutton Smile and supported by St Helens Council’s road safety team and Merseyside Police, the ‘20 is Plenty Walk’ gave children the opportunity to learn about traffic pollution, danger and transport choices.

First launched by Sherdley Primary School in 2015, this year’s event involved Key Stage 2 pupils from Sutton Oak, Robins Lane, Eaves and Sherdley primary schools walking along some of the busiest roads in Sutton accompanied by staff, while brandishing banners encouraging local drivers to slow down, and chanting: “Slow down – 20 is plenty.”

The campaign also aims to encourage parents and guardians to consider alternative methods for the school run, such as cycling and walking, with the average distance from home to school less than 1.5 miles.

St Helens Council’s cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Lisa Preston said: “I applaud the maturity shown by the children and for the passion shown in raising awareness to road safety – they should be very proud of themselves.

“The purpose of this campaign is to not only educate our children and young people on how to be safe on and near roads, but to also make sure that motorists and other road users – the vast majority of which are responsible drivers – are driving carefully near our schools”.