PLANS to cut down accidents outside school gates by slashing the speed limit to 20 mph have been praised by Bolton's road chiefs.

Cllr Peter Finch, chairman of Bolton's highways sub committee, said that the council would welcome moves to slash motorists' speed as they drive near schools.

Road safety chiefs in Bolton are already at the forefront of moves to cut accidents outside schools.

This month, they will be one of the first authorities in the country to bring in a legally enforceable parking ban by putting up signs outside every school.

Cllr Finch believes a Labour Party pledge to bring in 20 mph speed limit will create a dual-pronged approach, making the roads safer for children on their way to and from school.

But he added: "Even if drivers are sticking to the speed limit, there is always a danger with small children coming out of school and bobbing in and out between the cars.

"This month we will prohibit parking by make putting up signs which can be legally enforced.

"This will cut the risk considerably. As a local authority we would also welcome a 20 mph speed limit around schools to reduce the risk further."

The speed limit was among a number of plans announced at Blackpool this week by Labour's shadow transport secretary, Andrew Smith.

Earlier this year the Government launched a Kill Your Speed campaign after it was revealed that one third of the 3,600 deaths and 300,000 injuries on British roads last year were speed related.

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