In May 2019, Newton Aycliffe Police in conjunction with Gestamp, DCC and local councillors ran a Road Safety Week paying particular attention to issues around primary Schools in Newton Aycliffe. The aim was to educate and engage with the community in order to reduce traffic related issues around school premises to make our children safer when attending. We had an officer outside of every primary school during the week at opening and closing times, assisted by staff and mini police from each school, where we challenged persons parking inconsiderately/dangerously on the yellow zig-zags and driving without any consideration for the kids safety. During school hours we had various themes each day around road safety which included Community Speed Watch, Operation Endurance (off road bikes and quads), DCC (licensing and waste carriers), and intelligence led patrols targeting disqualified drivers, drink drivers and drivers without the appropriate documentation.
Gestamp and local Councillors sponsored the initiative by funding the creation of school figures for each school to reinforce the message of driving safely around schools. A school poster competition was also run with pupils displaying their amazing creations along perimeter fences, the best ones being awarded a prize.
As a result of this week of action there was a tremendous amount of positive feedback from the community, it was quite overwhelming the support we received from the schools and parents attending with their kids. Hopefully the message is getting out and these areas are a little safer as a result. We intend to run a similar initiative in the near future.
The team would like to thank St Marys Mini Police for inspiring the images on our leaflets and posters, Gestamp and the local Councillors for sponsoring the initiative, and the community for being so positive and receptive around what we were trying to achieve.
St. Josephs Watching Traffic
CSO Hill and PCSO Walls were helped by St Josephs Mini Police on Tuesday with carrying out speed watch on Stevenson Way. 3 vehicles were spotted over the 30 speed limit.
The Mini Police had green and red circles which they held up to let motorists know if they were going under or over the limit. This was a great experience for the children and hopefully will make motorists who saw them think twice about speeding in the future.
Safety Assembly in Village
The children from Aycliffe Village Primary School were delighted to be involved in the police road safety project. The police attended our assembly last week, with Councillor Bill Blenkinsopp, to show the children the road safety signs donated by Gestamp.
Byerley Park Road Safety
The stand-up figures that have been produced, with support from Gestamp and our local Police, are proving to be a visible reminder to parents and drivers to think carefully before they park their cars, particularly at school pick up and drop off times. The safety of our pupils is always paramount and we welcome the support from the Police in helping us with this.
