Poster competition to tackle speeding launched in Helston

It follows reports of near misses outside a local school

Author: Sophie SquiresPublished 30th Jan 2024

School children in Helston are designing speed awareness posters following reports of near misses.

Falmouth and Helston Neighbourhood Policing Team have been working with Lowertown Community Group and Trannack School to address local concerns.

Police Community Support Officer, Julia Berry, visited the school with Lowertown Community Group member Michelle Le Laucheur, to deliver a road safety assembly to the pupils and encourage them to take part in a competition to design a speed awareness poster.

The design of the winning poster will be used to create road signs to deter drivers from speeding outside the school.

Michelle said: "Lowertown Community Group are keen to encourage slower speeds on the roads surrounding Trannack School.

"We have invited their pupils to enter a competition to design a speed awareness poster that we can have made into signage, to be displayed in the surrounding area.

"We are very grateful to be able to launch this community-led competition with the help of PCSO Julia Berry and look forward to seeing all of the fabulous entries."

Adam Boyes, Head of Trannack School, said: "The safety of everyone crossing the road outside Trannack is of great importance to us, whether that be the children, their parents, staff, or visitors.

"Any measure that can be taken to ensure people drive carefully past our school is extremely welcome. Thank you to the Lowertown Community Group and Devon and Cornwall Police for the effort they are making to improve our safety."

The children have one week to design their posters, before PCSO Berry and Michelle return to the school to announce the winner of the competition on Friday 2nd February.

PCSO Berry said: "It was great to be invited to attend Trannack School to deliver the road safety assembly. The children were wonderful and interacted with the assembly, asking and answering questions.

"I look forward to going back to the school next week to see all of the wonderful designs with Michelle and to judge the competition."

Following the community’s concerns regarding speeding in and around Trannack School, Devon and Cornwall Police are in the process of arranging a Speed Detection Officer from Devon and Cornwall Safety Camera Partnership to patrol the area.

PCSO Berry will also attend the next Lowertown Community Group meeting to give advice and help set up a Community Speed Watch group.

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