DRIVERS in Ronkswood and Red Hill “aren’t aware” they are in a 20mph zone, a councillor said.

Dangerous parking in the area is also “putting children at risk”, city councillor Elaine Willmore said.

A campaign is being launched to increase awareness of the low-speed neighbourhood and improve road safety.

REMINDERS: Speed stickers are being placed on wheelie binsREMINDERS: Speed stickers are being placed on wheelie bins (Image: Worcester Labour)

Perry Wood Primary School, Nunnery Wood Primary School, Nunnery Wood pre-school and city councillor Elaine Willmore are hoping to cut speeds and eliminate dangerous parking.

READ MORE: Windermere Drive crash: girl, 5, too scared to use crossing

They have secured £2,000 from the West Mercia police and crime commissioner’s road safety fund to buy road safety equipment - some of which were chosen by schoolchildren.

Cllr Willmore said: “The whole area between Spetchley Road and Newtown Road incorporating the Red Hill and Ronkswood estates is a 20mph zone but there are only signs entering the estate on Nunnery Lane and Canterbury Road.

CAMPAIGN: Cllr Elaine WillmoreCAMPAIGN: Cllr Elaine Willmore (Image: Worcester Labour)

“Regulations state that repeater signs can’t be put up and whilst the presence of speed bumps should indicate it is a low-speed neighbourhood, the resurfacing of Canterbury Road levelled off the bumps to the point that they are almost flat.

“There are also daily problems with people parking on double yellow lines and zig-zags during school drop off and pick up which is putting children at risk.”

Cllr Willmore welcomed the involvement of the area’s schools.

DANGEROUS: Examples of poor parking around the areaDANGEROUS: Examples of poor parking around the area (Image: Worcester Labour)

“The children picked the equipment they would like for their schools,” she said. “This includes parking buddies, banners, flags and bollard covers.

“Wheelie bin stickers have also been given out to residents in the hope that raising awareness might encourage people to slow down.

READ MORE: Zebra crossing installed after boy hit near Stanley Road school

“The children from Nunnery Wood primary school gave countless accounts of inappropriate parking and aggressive behaviour on their journeys to and from school.

“A pupil was hit by a car last year outside of the school and they are worried it could happen again. They hope the signs will help spread awareness to the adults who cause these problems.

SAFETY: Children were involved in choosing what safety equipment was boughtSAFETY: Children were involved in choosing what safety equipment was bought (Image: Worcester Labour)

“I know that drop off and pick up can be a stressful time of day but there is no excuse for parking on the double yellow lines or zig zags outside of the schools.

“You might not want to admit it to yourself but every time you do it, you are putting a child’s life at risk. It is selfish, dangerous and it needs to stop. Please, please, please, think before you park.”

A spokesperson for Nunnery Wood pre-school said: “This project has been designed to help us.

“We need drivers to understand that our young children are so unaware of danger. An accident at 20mph is far less likely to result in serious harm.

“We are grateful to Elaine for her support in trying to make our community a safer place to be.”