A SCHOOL and residents pushing for safety measures outside a village primary say their campaign is now moving "in the right direction" after securing a key meeting.

Broughton-in-Furness CE Primary School and its community launched a campaign last month wanting drivers to slow down outside their school by pushing to get the speed limit reduced from 30mph to 20mph and have safety measures introduced.

Drivers use the village as a short cut and Broughton Primary, which is on the brow of a hill, has no road markings or automated warning lights outside.

Following the retirement of a long-standing lollipop person in June last year, the school also no longer has a crossing controller to guide pupils and parents across the busy road immediately outside the school.

There is a banner outside school urging motorists to reduce their speed.

Headteacher Jacki Graham-Kevan wrote to Highways some eight months ago and also raised at a meeting of South Lakeland county councillors.

Following the launch of the campaign Cumbria County Council said it would work with the community and the police to identify possible solutions to the range of issues within the village, including near the school.

Broughton Primary and Broughton Community Plan Steering Group crucially wanted a meeting with the highways department.

After not hearing from the council more than three weeks after the campaign launch, the school's chair of governors, Michael Nevin, wrote to the council about the lack of contact, explaining the "grave concern" for the safety of pupils and the hope that the council would give this issue priority.

After a follow up call from the Evening Mail about progress, the department got in contact with the school and a meeting is being arranged.

A spokesperson for Cumbria County Council said: “The council is aware of the road safety issues within Broughton and work is already underway to look at developing a community plan that will include appropriate road safety measures. We are keen to progress this quickly and as such we are already arranging meetings with key partners including the school so that together we can develop and deliver a solution that helps protect this community.”

Annette Carmichael, chairwoman of Broughton Community Plan Steering Group, said: "This is a step in the right direction. We are pleased that a meeting is now going to take place, we have been calling for action for eight months. The school situation is a priority for action. However progress can also be make the village less of a rat run."

Related article: South Lakes community campaigning for road safety measures outside school