Julian said: "We are all aware of the dangers of speed. I am worried that we are waiting for a dreadful accident to happen before we do something." 

"Roads are far busier today then when I was at school" added Julian. "Children are our precious future and it makes obvious sense to give them the safest environment that we are able to". 

When Labour ran Castle Point they began a programme of introducing lower speed limits near schools. This was implemented in Rushbottom Lane, Kents Hill Road, and near Leigh Beck school, for instance. This program has stalled since the Conservatives took over.  

"I appreciate that where a school is adjacent to a main road it may not be practical to have a lower speed limit, but most of our schools are not on arterial routes. I would happily support variable limits if these can be introduced safely." 

Children often have many distractions and are less aware of the dangers of traffic. At 20mph 95% of pedestrians struck by a car survive. Survival rates drop considerably as speed increase, as many organisations have reported over the years. 

Julian believes that for now signage is enough, but will push for traffic calming if these are consistently ignored. 

"I am confident that the vast majority of road users are aware of the vulnerability of children. I think 20mph signs would remind them of their responsibilities, as well as reassuring parents and pupils.