A NEW 20mph speed limit is to be trialled during peak times outside the Woodroffe School in Lyme Regis.

Chaotic scenes outside the school have prompted fears for pupils’ safety.

As a result of guidance changes from the Department for Transport, Dorset County Council has selected the section of Uplyme Road to trial the speed limit during school opening and closing times.

Dorset County Council said new school warning signs and flashing lights would be installed to warn drivers of the speed limit, but the speed limit itself was not enforceable and they would instead be monitoring the area to see if drivers changed their habits.

County, district and town councillor Daryl Turner said: “I’m extremely happy that this area is to be trialled and hope it improves safety in this very congested area around the school’s main entrance.

"These lights ensure drivers are clearly aware of their speed when in the zone. Any action to improve the safety of our children must be welcomed.”

The county council selected schools for the trial based on a variety of criteria where schools cover a range of ages of children, types of environment and areas where there is a recorded personal injury collision history.

Woodroffe headteacher Dr Richard Steward welcomed the speed limit trial but said more needed to be done.

Dr Steward said: “There are significant traffic problems on this road and part of the problem is the layout of the road, which is made worse by people parking all over during the busiest times of the day.

“What I think needs doing is for the road layout to be completely changed and additional crossings installed at the start and end of the section of road because that’s where the most danger is in children crossing.

"The bus bay also needs changing and future parking restrictions on the road during the busiest times of the day.

“We have been trying to get something done for years, so therefore we are delighted to experiment with the 20mph speed limit and hope it is a step on the road to future improvements.”