SPEED limits are set to be slashed to just 20mph outside schools in the borough after £50,000 of vital funding was agreed.

Basildon’s local highways panel has set aside the money to introduce flashing light systems outside ten primary schools, which are still to be decided.

The lights, which will ask drivers to slow down to 20mph, will only operate at selected times when children are starting or leaving, which will be set individually by schools.

It is expected Lee Chapel Primary School, in The Knares, Laindon, will be one of the first to benefit after a decade-long campaign, with residents fearing a child would be hit crossing the road.

Kerry Smith, an Independant borough and county councillor, and a member of the highways panel, welcomed the funding, but raised concerns about the speed limit not being legally enforcable.

He said: “This debacle has gone on for years, and I’m pleased to see Essex County Council is nowprepared to take action.

“Now a non-enforceable 20mph is being looked at, it’s good news for pupils and local residents, but I will still battle for a proper 20mph zone outside the school.

“I have often seen motorists speeding past the zebra crossing and not stopping for waiting pedestrians.”

Geoff Williams, Lib Dem councillor for Nethermayne and a former teacher, added: “I would much prefer to see a statutory 20mph speed limit, which I have been campaigning for, for about ten years.

“The Knares can be a particularly bad road. It gets very crowded, particularly at school opening and closing times, and there is a lot of inconsiderate parking. The lights are better than nothing and I’m sure parents will be pleased.”

The Echo revealed last year plans for 20mph speed limit zones outside schools appeared to be scuppered because of Essex County Council rules.

Speed surverys were conducted outside Lee Chapel, Great Berry Primary School, in Forest Glade, Langdon Hills, Cherry Tree Primary School, in Church Road, Vange and Vange Primary School, in London Road, with recorded speeds ranging from 24.7mph to 34mph.

However, County Hall guidelines state drivers have to be travelling at 24mph or under for a 20mph zone to be “achievable”.

It is expected each county council ward, Basildon Westley Heights, Billericay and Burstead, Laindon Park and Fryerns, Pitsea, and Wickford Crouch, will be all allocated enough funding to install the flashing lights outside two schools.

Mum welcomes new measures A MUM whose son was struck by a car on a residential road has welcomed the 20mph speed measures – but thinks more still needs to be done to improve safety.

Clare Perry, 38, of Goldings Crescent, Vange, has been campaigning for road safety improvements since 2009 after her son River was involved in an accident in London Road, Vange, aged just nine. She claims the crash affected his aspergers and may have led to him being epileptic.

A four-year-old boy suffered serious head injuries after being hit by a car at the same spot, outside Vange Primary School, in 2013.

Mrs Perry said: “I think it’s a good idea, but obviously we're relying on drivers taking notice of the signs. So many motorists just don’t care, and that's the problem.

“This is a step forward, but I don't think it goes far enough.

“After River had his accident, it really made me appreciate just how dangerous the roads are.

“That is especially true for children.”