A NEW 20mph speed zone will be installed outside half of all schools in Somerset under new council plans.

Somerset County Council announced intentions to bring about the changes at a meeting on Wednesday, February 19.

The authority intends to spend £1.5million to tackle speeding by rolling out the programme of advisory speed limits across the county.

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Councillor David Fothergill, leader of Somerset County Council, said: “Every year I know all councillors receive complaints about speeding cars outside our county’s schools.

“This is not acceptable and I’m absolutely delighted to say that we have set aside £1.5m to start a programme to bring in advisory 20mph zones outside all schools in Somerset to improve lives for our children.”

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The £1.5million promised for the project will be used to install the changes across half of the county's school, with the remaining ones set to be done in 'future years'.

The programme will be rolled out in discussion with individual schools.

The initiative will also be supported by Bikeability and road safety training for schools and young people.