Campaigners are hailing the introduction in south-west Harrogate of “the most significant 20mph zone in North Yorkshire”.

Pupils, teachers, politicians and community came together last week to mark the milestone, which they say will make streets safer.

Phase one of the scheme, delivered by highways authority North Yorkshire Council, has seen the introduction of 20mph limits in 200 streets.

It aims to create a safer environment for 4,000 schoolchildren and students attending schools and college in the area — Oatlands Infant School, Oatlands Junior School, St Aidan’s Church of England School, Harrogate College and St John Fisher’s Catholic High School.

Phase two will see 20mph introduced in an area used by 5,000 schoolchildren attending Harrogate Grammar School, Rossett School, Rossett Acre Primary School, Ashville College and Western Primary School, as well as those using Rossett and Ashville Sports Centres.

More than 1,800 people signed a petition supporting the 20mph zone. Thirteen headteachers were among those backing it.

It is hoped the move will also encourage more people to cycle.

Transport for London data shows a pedestrian is five times less likely to be killed at 20mph than at 30mph.

David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and Councillor Malcolm Taylor, the council’s executive member for highways, also attended the gathering.

Cllr Taylor said:

“We are delighted to see the successful roll-out of the first phase of the 20mph speed limit scheme, and the benefits are clear with the start of the new school year.

“We have worked with communities to deliver the initiative, which aims to create safer streets and promote active travel options such as walking and cycling. It paves the way for the second phase of the project, where traffic calming measures could be introduced to lower speeds on more roads.”

Oatlands and Pannal Ash road safety and active travel campaigners Hazel Peacock, Ruth Lily and Dr Jenny Marks said in a joint statement:

“We are delighted to see phase one of the 20mph zone in southwest Harrogate delivered and wholeheartedly welcome it. It will bring a safer environment for the schoolchildren and our local community. It’s the result of a collaborative effort between the local community, parents, educators, local politicians and North Yorkshire Council and we look forward to the delivery of phase two to bring about safer streets for the other schools in the area and the rest of the community.”

Richard Sheriff, chief executive of Red Kite Learning Trust and chair of the Schools Road Safety Group, said:

“It is wonderful to see the speed restrictions in place and a credit to the tireless campaigning of the group. The job is not finished however, and we need to see the scheme extended into the Rossett area so children attending all the schools there are protected too.”