THE County’s Highways division is proposing to impose a 20mph speed limit outside five Newton Abbot schools.

Newton Abbot residents can give their views on the proposals, advertised in a Traffic Regulation Order which can be seen on page 37 of this paper. They are for four areas using a mix of mandatory and advisory 20mph limits during school arrival and departure times.

The scheme would benefit St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Combeshead Academy, Decoy Community Primary School, Wolborough C of E Primary, Highweek Primary and Newton Abbot College.

The proposals follow a consultation last year on an extension of 20 mph speed limits in Newton Abbot which proved highly unpopular.

That scheme would have offered the opportunity to study the benefits of 20 mph limits in terms of driver behaviour, road safety, air quality, reduction in carbon emissions and sustainable travel.

However, the results from the consultation clearly showed that this was not supported, with 79 per cent opposed – but responders to the same consultation also strongly supported (77 per cent) the scheme outside schools.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management said: ‘We have worked closely with local members and our road safety team and have identified four areas for both mandatory 20mph limits and advisory limits.

‘It has been designed in such a way that it will benefit students travelling to and from school.

‘We would be grateful for any feedback or suggestions local residents, or businesses may have.’

Cllr Janet Bradford, the Local member for Newton Abbot South said: ‘Residents have been listened to and an expectation of slower traffic on roads near our schools must be a benefit for our children.’

► You can view and comment on the TRO from Thursday October 27 on DCC’s website devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/parking/traffic-regulation-orders/