COUNCILLORS are looking at plans to impose Traffic Regulation Orders outside 12 local schools to improve road safety.

All the schools have been chosen in consultation with police because of their position in built-up residential areas which suffer the most from traffic congestion. The orders, if approved will operate between the school times of 8 to 9.30am and 2.30 to to 4pm and will be enforced by Merseyside Police.

The schools involved are Billinge Chapel End; Ashurst County Primary; Blackbrook RC; Bleak Hill; Brook Lodge, Rainford; Haydock English Martyrs; Oakdene, Rainhill; Queens Park; St Bartholomew's, Rainhill; Sutton Oak; Haydock High and Hurst Special School.

Other schools are to be monitored and a further schedule will be drawn up for approval.

PENALTIES

Chair of the Highways and Transportation sub-committee, Councillor Joe De Asha, said: "Where they exist the familiar 'School Keep Clear' markings have no legal effect so that the police cannot easily take action against drivers who fail to observe them. The proposed orders would give the road markings legal effect and allow the police to issue fixed penalty notices to offenders. Hopefully, this will provide an improved safety framework for schoolchildren in, what are, very busy areas."

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