A campaign to introduce a 20mph zone outside a rural primary school has been welcomed by Durham County Council. 

Cotherstone residents launched a petition calling for new safety measures in the Teesdale village following concerns that speeding vehicles past the school made it unsafe for children and the elderly while crossing the road. 

Highways officers at the local authority have now signalled their intention to progress the scheme, subject to funding. 

Responding to the petition, which received 12 signatures, the council said: “Although this location would not meet our policy for the reduction to a lower legal speed limit of 20mph from the existing 30mph we would be happy to progress a school advisory 20mph for the village.”

Cotherstone residents launched a petition calling for new safety measures in the Teesdale villageCotherstone residents launched a petition calling for new safety measures in the Teesdale village (Image: Google)

The cost of implementing the new 20mph zone is believed to cost around £15,000, and will require funding support from local county councillors and/ or the parish council. 

New ‘slow’ road markings will appear in the village following a council audit, while other signs will be updated. 

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Durham County Council’s response added: “We would always support this type of proposal although this would require the funding support of local County Councillors and/or the Parish Council. The cost to install an advisory 20mph zone is approx. £15k (this includes a £2.5k package of education and marketing delivered by our Road Safety Team).

"We have recently undertaken a road marking and signage audit in Cotherstone and as a result, we will be implementing some enhanced slow markings on approach to the village to aid drivers and to help with compliance to the current speed limit. In addition, some signs have been identified for routine maintenance activity and these will be replaced as soon as our current workload will permit.

"As part of an agreed protocol, all speeding complaints are directed towards Durham Constabulary primarily through their Police and Communities Together (PACT) Meetings, enabling the appropriate level of intervention and action to be considered."