THE latest rollout of reduced village speed limits across the Northwich area has begun, with changes arriving in a Hartford neighbourhood.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is introducing 20mph zones in residential areas and near schools as part of a long-term, borough-wide project.

Following praise for the scheme’s early impact elsewhere in Hartford and in Moulton, the latest Northwich area to see the changes come into effect is either side of the Grange Junior School roundabout, as of Friday, December 7.

Further areas consulted on in September – and set to see changes in the near future – include Wincham, Comberbach, Greenbank, Antrobus, Delamere, Hartford south, Kingsmead, Little Leigh, Lostock Gralam, Higher Whitley and Whitegate.

The scheme aims to improve road safety and encourage walking and cycling as alternatives to driving.

Grange Junior School headteacher Guy Rands said: “Having been mooted for a while, I am delighted to hear that CWAC are moving ahead to introduce 20mph zones across Northwich including the area around The Grange Junior School.

“Anything that reduces the likelihood of collisions between vehicles and children is clearly very welcome.

“I’m sure that the wider community, including drivers themselves, will be supportive of this development since we all know that there’s nothing more important than the welfare of our families.”

Analysis of the effect of changes in west Cheshire during the first year of the programme shows a 65 per cent reduction in crashes, a 40 per cent reduction in deaths and serious injuries caused as a result, and a 69 per cent reduction in slight injuries.

An overall reduction in speed of 0.4mph has been calculated. Across the locations, 15 per cent fewer vehicles are now travelling above 25mph and 17 per cent fewer are travelling above 30mph.

Cllr Karen Shore, CWAC cabinet member for environment, said: “In January 2016, the council agreed to introduce 20mph speed limited on suitable residential roads and around schools to deliver significant benefits including a reduction in road traffic collisions and to encourage more people to walk and cycle.

“We are now in the middle of our four-year programme. The results show our 20mph schemes are making a difference in our communities.

“Further analysis and data collecting will now continue, as well as awareness campaigns to change behaviour over time to ensure the new speed limits become firmly embedded in communities.”

The former 30mph limit Hartford streets affected in the latest wave of changes are Beechwood Avenue and Leawood Close, near the junior school itself, as well as Ashley Drive and Parker Avenue off Hodge Lane, south of the roundabout.

Cllr Patricia Parkes, ward member for Hartford, said she welcomed the change near the school but had concerns about the value for money of CWAC's blanket approach.