A PETITION signed by 2,000 people who called for a speed limit reduction outside a school has been thrown out by Barnsley Council’s highways bosses - much to the dismay of local leaders.

The proposal - reviewed by the council’s cabinet - called for the current 30mph limit to be dropped to 20mph and was signed by 1,378 pupils and 559 parents and carers.

However, after it was assessed by the local authority’s highways department, it was ruled that the request was denied due to no collisions being recorded at the Huddersfield Road site.

Councillor Hannah Kitching, who represents Penistone West, blasted the department for failing to invest in measures and said the enormity of the petition should have resulted in action.

“It’s frustrating but not at all surprising that this has been rejected by a council that refuses to invest in proactive road safety measures,” Coun Kitching said.

“We all - parents, school staff and councillors - just want to keep children and young people safe.

“It is horrifying to be reminded that the council will not take action until a ‘cluster of accidents’ has occurred in this location.

“We must not wait for children to be injured or even killed before we do anything to keep them safe.

“This is why local Liberal Democrats councillors have worked with Penistone Area Council colleagues to ensure that every school in the local area - including the grammar school - will have a 20mph advisory school zone implemented.

“We know it isn’t the mandatory 20mph limit that the petition called for, but we hope it will remind drivers to keep their speeds low near the school.”

A council statement confirmed that no ‘collision cluster sites’ were identified on Huddersfield Road.

“The request for a permanent 20mph speed limit has been assessed by the traffic group and no collision cluster sites have been identified at this location,” it added.

“The traffic group will provide ‘20mph When Lights Flash’ road signs on Huddersfield Road to remind drivers to slow down in the vicinity of the school.

“No other action can be supported by the council at this time.”

Paul Crook, principal of Penistone Grammar School - who campaigned for the speed limit reduction - reiterated his opinion that the 20mph zone would have been welcomed.

He told the Chronicle: “As principal of Penistone Grammar School one of my aims is to keep pupils, their families and staff safe around the school site.

“Whilst I do appreciate the introduction of an advisory 20mph zone, I do believe in the future a compulsory 20mph zone would be beneficial.

“Our message here is always ‘prevention rather than cure’ and proactivity - we would value a compulsory 20mph zone that aligns with our values of safety first, every time.

“The fact that 1,378 pupils have stood up to support this change shows how important this is to our school.

“In our discussions with the council, it has been noted that advisory limits are often ignored by inconsiderate drivers.

“The school has offered to fundraise toward the implementation costs, demonstrating our commitment to working as partners with the local authority.”