Cumbrian council announces more plans for 20mph speed limit
The council says the latest proposals have been developed in collaboration with parish and town councils to "address the specific needs of their communities" and target built-up areas where the current speed limit is either 30mph or 40mph.Councillor Peter Thornton, cabinet member for highways, said residents' views were "at the centre of our plans" and initiatives would only go ahead if they had "strong community support".He added: "The outcome of our extensive consultation for the first year of the programme is a testament to that, as we have only moved forward with schemes that received clear community backing, as well as adjusting designs of half of the schemes based on local feedback."Details on the proposals are available on the council's website and anyone wishing to submit their views can then fill in an online survey by Friday 18 July.Paper copies of the consultation are available at several libraries, while Penrith and Barrow libraries are set to host in-person events along with one at Kendal Town Hall.
Which areas are included?
The following locations could see the limits introduced:CliftonGamblesbyGlassonbyGreat AsbyGreystokePenrithSockbridge and TirrilStaintonCambridge Primary School, BarrowCows Tarn Lane, Walney IslandDane Ghyll Primary School, BarrowNewbarns Primary School, BarrowRamsden Infants School, BarrowSt Pauls Junior School, BarrowVictoria Infants and Victoria Junior School, BarrowWalney School, Sandy Gap Lane, Walney IslandCartmelGreenodd and Penny BridgeHevershamIngsKendalLevensMilnthorpeSatterthwaiteMore than 3,000 people gave their views on the first series of proposals, leading to 10 being given the go-ahead as originally designed, while the same number will be amended.Lower limits in five areas of Barrow were rejected.A further 27 requests for 20mph limits that were received as a part of the initial application process will be considered for the third and final year of the programme in 2027.
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The Guardian
2 minutes ago
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BBC News
2 minutes ago
- BBC News
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The Independent
19 minutes ago
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Catherine Sezen, director of education policy at the Association of Colleges (AoC), said: 'Across the country, educators are working hard to improve outcomes, yet many are left asking what more can be done. 'After a decade of the condition of funding policy, it is time to rethink how we support young people to build essential English and maths skills.' She added that the AoC is calling for 'a more flexible, evidence-based approach' which empowers colleges to meet learners' needs 'without relying on repeated resits that can undermine confidence and motivation'. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders' union, said the current GCSE resit policy was 'not fit for purpose'. He said: 'NAHT has long called for reform of the current policy that forces students into repeated resits, which is demotivating and ineffective. 'What is needed are more appropriate and engaging alternatives to GCSEs in English and maths at KS4. 'Post-16 students who need to continue the subjects must be allowed to study for qualifications that suit their needs and ambitions, rather than defaulting to GCSE resits.' Jill Duffy, chief executive of the OCR exam board, added that Thursday's figures showed a 'resit crisis. She said: 'Tinkering at the edges of policy won't fix this. We need fundamental reform to maths and English secondary education – especially at Key Stage 3 – to support those who fall behind in these crucial subjects.' UK GCSE entries for students aged 17 and over has risen by 12.1 per cent compared with last year. On the rise in the number of post-16 students taking resits, Sir Ian Bauckham, chief regulator at England's exams regulator Ofqual, said it was linked with the 'rising demographic trend'. He told PA: 'If you've got a larger cohort – and proportions getting a grade four are broadly stable – you're going to see more people coming through to resit. 'But the reset of normal grading standards in 2023 probably also plays into it as well.' Sir Ian said: 'My view is that the government's policy that students continue to study English and maths post-16 if they haven't reached that critical grade four threshold is the right thing to do. 'The policy is not that students do multiple resets. The policy is that they continue to study English and maths and sit, when appropriate, either for GCSE or for a functional skills qualification.' Speaking to PA earlier this month, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: 'The curriculum and assessment review is looking at how best we can support 16 to 19-year-olds who don't achieve the right level in maths and English. 'Of course I do want more students – particularly from less well-off backgrounds – to get a good pass at GCSE in English and maths because that's the gateway to so much more. 'But the curriculum and assessment review is going to look at the approach we will take in the years to come.'
