Aphra Brandreth MP has welcomed the rollout of new 20mph speed limits outside several schools across Chester South and Eddisbury, describing it as “a big step forward” in the campaign to improve road safety for children.
The move by Cheshire West and Chester Council follows sustained pressure from local Conservative councillors and Ms Brandreth, who has long championed safer streets around schools. The new speed limits will be introduced outside Bishop Heber High School in Malpas, Abbey Gate College, Duddon St Peter’s, Huntington Community Primary, and Weaverham Primary School.
“This is about putting children’s safety first,” said Ms Brandreth. “We’ve worked closely with the community and our brilliant local councillors to make this happen, and I’m really pleased to see progress being made.”
The issue of road safety around schools has been a personal priority for Ms Brandreth, particularly following the tragic death of a young boy outside The King’s School. In a previous statement, she described the incident as “heartbreaking” and said it was “something I’ve certainly never forgotten.”
While welcoming the new 20mph zones, Ms Brandreth stressed that more work remains to be done. She highlighted Delamere Academy as one example, where the school sits adjacent to a 50mph A-road.
“Parents have raised serious concerns with me about the speed of traffic near Delamere Academy,” she said. “I will continue working with the local community to ensure that every school in our area is safe for children to walk to and from.”
Ms Brandreth has consistently campaigned for practical measures to improve road safety, including better signage, safer crossings, and lower speed limits near schools. She has also supported community initiatives and worked with local authorities to push for safety improvements.
“This is about more than just common sense. It’s about protecting lives,” she added. “We owe it to our children and their families to make sure they can get to school safely.”
