HEADTEACHERS in Abingdon are calling for a 20mph speed limit on the town’s roads in a bid to improve safety for pupils cycling to school.

The town’s six secondary schools and Abingdon & Witney College are drawing up an action plan, which includes new pedestrian crossings, speed humps and a cut to the speed limit.

It follows the death of 17-year-old Sarah Waterhouse who was cycling to Larkmead School when she was involved in a collision with a coach in October.

The county council has earmarked £35,000 to spend on cycle routes, and schools want to have a say in how it is spent.

Chris Harris, headteacher at Larkmead School, in Faringdon Road, is leading the campaign, and hopes to have a plan by next month.

He said: “We all know it is easier to see and stop at 20mph.

“If cyclists are wobbling on their bicycles, motorists would be able to see this more clearly if they were driving at 20mph rather than 30mph.

“It gives more thinking time for everyone concerned.”

The schools – Larkmead, Fitzharrys, John Mason, Abingdon School, St Helen and St Katharine’s, and Our Lady’s – and the college claim the town’s cycle paths do not join up with each other, forcing cyclists to share the road with motorists.

Mr Harris said: “The intention of the plan is to make it safe for pupils to cycle from one school to another without having to come into contact with any major areas of risk.”

He said installing speed humps and pedestrian crossings would be useful traffic calming measures – particularly at the busy Marcham Road-Colwell Drive junction, where Miss Waterhouse was killed.

Mr Harris would like to see the “dangerous” junction of Wootton Road and Copenhagen Drive improved, as well as work outside his school, where the cycleway is not separated from the road.

Sarah Brinkley, deputy headteacher at John Mason School, said: “It is essential our students are able to travel safely.

“All our children have the right to choose to cycle to school, but this requires the commitment of the whole Abingdon community.

“Everyone needs to be aware of children on bikes, so we should all support this speed reduction around our schools.”

Paul Smith, spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council, confirmed the council was close to finalising a list of improvements to cycle routes in Abingdon, and had £35,000 to spend.

He said: “We are looking to press ahead with these improvements as soon as possible.

“The comments from Abingdon headteachers have been noted.”

Lesley Legge, leader of Abingdon Town Council, said: “A 20mph speed limit near schools is certainly worth considering.

“Journeys for students to and from schools need to be as safe as possible. Putting ideas forward and concentrating on safety is essential.”