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10
Dec 2020
A speed sign is to be installed outside Western Primary School in Harrogate as part of the school's long-running campaign to improve road safety.
Western is one of the largest primary schools in the Harrogate district, with 500 pupils.
It is also situated on one of the busiest streets — Cold Bath Road.
Tim Broad, headteacher of Western Primary School, has spoken of his fears a child could be killed crossing the road.
He and teachers have lobbied North Yorkshire County Council for action.
The campaign finally bore fruit when John Mann, who represents Harrogate central on North Yorkshire County Council, agreed to fund a vehicle-activated sign from his locality budget.
Each county councillor receives a locality budget of £5,000 per year to spend on local needs, and councillor Mann's allocation covered the £3,200-plus VAT cost of the sign.
The sign, which has a five-year warranty and a life expectancy of 10 years, will be fixed to the street lamp immediately outside the school.
A radar in the sign detects vehicles travelling above the 20mph speed limit from at least 50 metres away and this triggers a 'slow down' message.
The sign will be spun round every few weeks to face traffic from the opposite direction.
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