STAFF and students at a Yate primary school have launched a campaign to improve road safety.

Luke Hall, MP for Thornbury and Yate, also joined residents and the school in calling for further safety measures on one of the busiest routes in the area.

North Road is largely recognised as one of the busiest routes in the area, prompting the MP and the primary school to call for further safety measures.

Improvements the campaign is suggesting are: higher police presence during peak times, increased speed limit signage, and an extension of the current speed limit zone.

There is currently a 20mph speed limit enforced along the road by the school, however concerns have been raised about the positioning of the signs that declare the limit.

Local Councillor Marian Lewis and the school’s management have said the flashing 20mph signs are currently obstructed from motorists view before entering a bend in the road.

The concerns have now prompted Mr Hall, Headteacher Sarah Stillie, Ward Councillor Marian Gilpin and the Landlady of the Codrington Arms Pub on North Road and the Owner of the Post Office, Jenna Hale, to write a letter.

The letter has been sent to the Head of StreetCare and Transport Services at South Gloucestershire Council, Mark King, to ask for an assessment of the existing zone.

There is also a call for more police presence to monitor motorists speed during the busy periods during the day.

Mr Hall got involved after a large number of people contacted him, regarding 'their concerns' about the road.

"It is clear there is a safety issue on North Road and especially near the primary school," he said.

"This has been raised by a number of families and representatives of the school’s Student Council. I am concerned that there is insufficient warning for motorists and am happy to be raising this with the local authorities.

"As a Yate resident with a young family, I want to ensure that our local schools are safe and that there is sufficient road safety awareness for both motorists and pedestrians."

The Codrington Arms is a pub also on the road, and the owner, the aforementioned Jenna Hale, also revealed she understands the need for the 'important campaign'.

"I am fully behind the school’s attempts to increase speed awareness for motorists," she said.

"As a local business owner I am very aware of the increasing amount of traffic and the speeding which occurs frequently directly outside the school’s premises. I am fully behind the school’s attempts to increase speed awareness for motorists."

A spokesperson for South Gloucestershire Council said: "Road safety around schools is a priority for us and we are aware of the concerns raised regarding North Road in Yate.

“North Road, in the vicinity of the primary school, is on our database for waiting restriction requests to investigate and will be taken in to account when we next review the restrictions in the Engine Common area.”