A PETITION signed by 300 Wordsley residents who are concerned by the speed of traffic outside their schools, has been handed over to a Dudley Council chief.

Councillor Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, received the petition on the steps of Dudley Council House from Wordsley Community Speed Watch group leader Councillor Derrick Hemingsley.

The petition handover follows two meetings of the group outside of Belle Vue Primary School, in Lawnswood Road, during the past week, which recorded one driver travelling at speeds of 51mph in the 30mph zone.

Cllr Hemingsley wants the speed limit of the road to be reduced to 20mph and for improved lighting to be installed on pedestrian crossings.

He said: “My main concern over the horrendous high speeds recorded on this stretch of road is the safety of our children in Wordsley.

“I will not rest until we have the speed limit reduced to 20mph on this road and the pedestrian crossing upgraded with better lighting.”

After receiving the petition, Cllr Bills praised the group for their campaign, saying the lighting will be improved and the road’s speed limit reduced, but the area was one of a number of schools on a long list.

She said: “I commend the hard work the local community are doing to bring this issue to the council’s attention.

“As a community council we go by the saying that the community knows best. They know the issues which are important to them and those are the ones that we focus on.

“The speed limit will be reduced to 20mph outside Belle Vue Primary School, but it is one of a number of schools on a long list to undergo these changes.

“We cannot say when the changes will come into force as they are carried out on a priority basis.

“However, the group run a very good campaign and will be suitably rewarded.”

Cllr Hemingsley said the decision to reduce the speed was a “victory for the community” and “most importantly the safety of the children of Wordsley”.

Following the success of Wordsley Speed Watch, Cllr Hemingsley is starting a Wordsley Street Watch group to engage with the community and rid the ward of anti-social behaviour.

The group will hold their first watch on Saturday July 11, between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

For more information, or to join the street watch group, email Cllr Hemingsley at Cllr.Derrick.Hemingsley@dudleymbc.org.uk, or call 07771 977746.