20mph speed restrictions helping to improve safety at Shropshire schools

20mph speed restrictions helping to improve safety at Shropshire schools

20mph speed restrictions have been introduced outside or close to 10 Shropshire schools in the past 12 months, as part of a Shropshire Council road safety programme.

Work is currently underway at a further eight schools - and will be carried out at another 12 schools during spring and summer 2026 subject to a successful statutory consultation.

The schools were identified following work to determine the schools and locations where a 20mph speed restriction or other safety measures could deliver real benefits, and to decide what type of speed restriction would be most appropriate.

Work has been - or will be - carried out following engagement with the schools, local councillors and town/parish councils.

The schemes are a mixture of a signed-only 20mph limit, a variable 20mph limit that applies at certain times of the day, or a 20mph zone with traffic calming measures. Other options also include a reduction in the speed limit with extra signs to reinforce the change.

Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for transport and economic growth, said:

"This is an important project and one that will benefit communities across the county in the coming years, helping to improve safety outside schools across Shropshire.

"The safety of our children is paramount, and we must explore further opportunities to improve safety for the whole journey to school, not just outside the school gate."

In all cases, there is a presumption that 20mph speed restricted areas are self-enforcing and that to achieve compliance there should be no expectation on the police to provide additional enforcement beyond their routine activity.

Post-scheme monitoring will be carried out at all sites to assess local speed reducing impact but also the success of the wider programme.

Further information

There is no single generic approach for the introduction of a 20mph speed restriction, and site-specific characteristics determine the level of intervention that may be required.

Schemes were completed in the 2025/26 financial year at:

• The Grove School, Market Drayton
• William Brookes School, Much Wenlock
• Thomas Adams School, Wem
• Lacon Childe School, Cleobury Mortimer
• Ludlow Primary School
• St Martins 3-16 Community School
• Holy Trinity C of E Primary Academy, Oswestry
• Highley Community Primary School
• Brockton C of E Primary
• Church Preen Primary School

Schemes are currently under construction at:

• Barrow 1618 Primary Free School
• St Lawrence Primary / Church Stretton School, Church Stretton
• Longden CE Primary School
• Chirbury C of E Primary School
• Martin Wilson and Shrewsbury Cathedral Catholic School
• Whittington C of E Primary School
• Broseley C of E Primary School

Work is planned to be carried out during spring and summer 2026 following successful statutory consultation at:

• Idsall School Shinfal
• Longlands Primary School, Market Drayton
• Brown Clee C of E Primary School, Ditton Priors
• Lakelands Academy, Ellesmere
• Stoke-on-Tern Primary School, Stoke Heath
• Long Mountain C of E Primary School, Worthen
• Lower Heath C of E Primary School
• Welshampton Primary School
• Ellesmere Primary School
• Norbury Primary School
• Wilfred Owen School, Shrewsbury
• Bishop Hooper C of E Primary School, Ashford Carbonel

Work at further schools will follow in line with a prioritisation process previously undertaken.