A LARGE area near La Houguette will have a 25mph speed limit when the schools go back in September. As part of the Environment Department’s traffic strategy, speeds are being reduced around all island schools to make the roads safer for pedestrians.

Signs have been ordered and will be put up in August.

With the exception of schools within the St Peter Port 25mph zone, roads around La Houguette, St Peter’s, will be most affected.

Teachers and parents yesterday welcomed the move.

Pedestrian safety group Steps secretary Pat Wisher was instrumental in setting the boundaries. She said they took into account how busy the main road was and the high number of parents and children who walked to and from school in the back lanes.

The 25mph zone will include a long stretch of Route des Paysans and Route des Adams as well as adjoining lanes Rue du Lorier, Rue de L’Arquet and Route des Clos Landais.

Head teacher Danielle Cassell said drivers were given little indication that they were approaching a school and hoped the signage would help to warn them.

‘I would also welcome anything that would encourage children to walk to school,’ she said.

‘We have tried a few ideas in the last two years because we know that walking is beneficial to children’s health and their learning. We might get more parents now who feel that their children are safe enough to walk.’

Deputy Environment minister Ivan Rihoy said the proposed area went out to full consultation, including parish officials and residents. Feedback had been very positive and he was confident that the roads would become much safer.

Mrs Wisher, who meets the department regularly through her role with Steps, campaigned to extend the reduced speed limit on the main road to just before the junction with Rue des Paysans au Val from the south and in line with Rue Rocheuse to the north.

‘It is a very fast straight road and when you come from the south, there is a blind corner just before the school. It is important that drivers are made to slow down before this.’

Mrs Wisher did walking audits around all schools. She found that the back lanes near La Houguette were popular with parents and children going to and from school.

‘Route des Clos Landais has quite a lot of estates and houses and is linked to the school by a lovely walk along Rue du Lorier,’ she said.

‘But the road is very narrow with only room for one car and, when they pass, pedestrians really have to shove themselves into the hedgerow.’

She also suggested that Rue de L’Arquet, which adjoins the main road, be included.

‘It leads down to Perelle and is a lovely walk, which is again popular with pedestrians coming to and from the school.’

Mrs Wisher said she was delighted that the department had taken her advice.

Mrs Cassell said people tended to accept the current traffic situation and hoped the new initiative would serve to raise awareness.