This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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School suddenly got safer
23/05/2006
Six more 20 mph zones were started today at schools near trunk roads in Midlothian, the Borders and Ayrshire as the roll out across the country continued.
Already 13 schools have the hi-tech signs, funded by Transport Scotland, which are aimed at increasing the safety of children walking or cycling to and from schools near trunk roads, while minimising delays and disruption to traffic.
A further 1,463 schools on local roads have also had the zones installed.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said:
"This devolved government's Partnership Agreement committed us to introducing 20 mph zones around schools and that is what we are delivering.
"We want to reduce the number of children killed and injured on our roads. 20 mph zones help in reducing the number of young people involved in road accidents. However, there are still too many tragic accidents.
"These 20 mph zones will help school children walking or cycling to and from school avoid the danger posed by speeding motorists. Speeding drivers should heed the warnings from these signs and "slow down."
The six latest areas to receive 20 mph zones are:
*Hawick
Buccleuch St
Hawick High School
St Margarets Primary School
Drumlanrig St Cuthberts Primary School
* Hawick - Wilton Hill
Wilton Primary
* West Linton
West Linton Primary
* Coulter
Coulter Primary
* Kilwinning
Abbey Primary
Kilwinning Academy
* Pathhead
Pathhead Primary
The Executive has committed a total of £44.9 million to the roll out of 20mph zones around schools.
Between 2004-2006 £22 million has been spent on the delivery of 1,463 out of an expected total of 2,694 areas on local authority roads.