We urgently need to make it safer outside our school gates.
At the moment, it is the responsibility of Suffolk County Council to ensure that the roads outside our schools have the right safety measures in place. But too often they have decided that the roads outside our schools don't need any extra safety measures - no crossing, and no 20 mph zones. I disagree - and we need action now.
My "Safer at the Gates" campaign champions
Road traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for children in the UK
And, tragically The Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) estimates that every single month 1,200 children are injured in traffic accidents that happen within 500 meters of the school gates.
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We also know from Government data that 14% of child fatalities occur during the morning school run between 7 and 9 o’clock, and 23% happen after school between 3 and 5 o’clock.
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We can change this, but we need action.
Suffolk County Council are responsible for road safety
At the moment, it is the responsibility of Suffolk County Council to ensure that the roads outside our schools have the right safety measures in place. But too often they have decided that the roads outside our schools don't need any extra safety measures - no crossing, and no 20 mph zones.
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Some schools in my constituency, like Bucklesham Primary School, have been campaigning to improve road safety outside their school for 20 years - but still don't have road crossing, lollipop men or women, and they sit on a 60mph and 30mph road.
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I'm campaigning to change the law
I want to make it a duty for Councils to have to work with Schools to bring forward road safety measures, where there is evidence of risk. Watch my Ten Minute Rule Bill on this in parliament in November 2025.
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Until then, we need the County Council to take action.
You join my campaign - and email them to bring forward the change we need.