SPEED limits are to be cut to 20mph on some the region’s most dangerous school roads, after councillors backed the change today (Wednesday, December 17).

Accident rates round Durham County Council’s schools are relatively low and falling, but council chiefs are keen to further cut the number of casualties and fatalities.

Today, the council’s Labour cabinet backed introducing 20mph restrictions outside 33 schools with the worst accident records.

Cabinet member Lucy Hovvels said the issue was a major concern, even one death was too many and the change was long overdue.

Some areas will get 20mph “limits” with road signs and flashing warning lights, while others will become 20mph “zones” with traffic calming measures such as road humps.

The restrictions will be part-time and the details will be decided case by case, depending on each school’s circumstances and following consultation with schools, parents, residents, Area Action Partnerships and other groups.

Currently, the county has just two 20mph zones, including on High Grange Estate, Durham City, and one 20mph limit; although the measure has been adopted more widely elsewhere.

Liberal Democrat councillor Mark Wilkes called for today’s decision to be delayed, saying the research behind the cabinet report was fundamentally flawed.

The Framwellgate Moor and Newton Hall councillor wanted more schools and colleges to be included and, addressing the cabinet, he said: “I don’t want any accidents on my conscience and I know you don’t either.”

Cllr Wilkes was invited to join a group looking into the issue and council leader Simon Henig said: “We are starting with the schools with the highest accident rates and I’m sure that will have widespread support.

“It’s important wide local consultation is undertaken.”

Council chiefs, currently facing austerity cuts totalling than £250m, believe the change will cost £952,000 to implement, plus £116,000-a-year to maintain – costs that include ongoing educational programmes.

The impact of the scheme will be reviewed each year.

The 33 schools included were those to have suffered the most accidents involving children, at least double the average.

Last year, County Durham suffered its fewest road casualties since detailed records began in 1979.