DRIVERS are being urged to make streets safer for children to walk and cycle by slowing down to 20mph near homes, shops and schools.

Road safety charity Brake and motor insurers Direct Line made the plea as they published new research revealing that while drivers say they want safer roads, many don’t reduce speeds in local communities.

Blackburn with Darwen Liberal Democrat leader David Foster said their intervention was further evidence in support of the Lancashire Telegraph’s ‘Slower Speeds, Safer Children’ campaign for the lower 20 mph limit.

The survey of 1,000 UK drivers found 64 per cent think local traffic is too fast for the safety of kids and 65 per cent want safety measures around schools, homes and urban centres. But 63 per cent admit to breaking the 30mph limit and 29 per cent do so weekly.

Two-thirds said they felt pressured by other drivers to go faster in built-up areas, while a third give in to it.

As pupils prepare to return to school next week, Brake’s deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said: “While it's important kids and young people receive road safety education, it’s crucial that drivers take on the ultimate responsibility for protecting children on foot and bike. Our research shows a contradiction in what some drivers say they want and the way they behave. We appeal to drivers everywhere to do their bit too.

Coun Foster said: “This inter- vention is yet more evidence why we need 20mph speed limits across residential areas in Blackburn with Darwen and East Lancashire.

“When will the leaders of the borough council listen?”