Traffic dragon for Exeter primary school

VIDEO: Speeds higher during school run

A dragon's been put on patrol outside an Exeter primary school to slow speeding drivers.

The road outside St Michael’s Church of England Primary, Heavitree, is a 20 mph zone, but speeds are higher at school pick-up and drop-off times, according to sustainable travel campaign group Sustrans. 

The charity has worked with Devon County Councillor two years on a road safety project and the installation of a dragon on the road is the culmination of the project. The fiery design has mythical powers to prevent people speeding.

Sustrans director James Cleeton says: “The dragon design is intended to show people driving that they are entering a special school zone, so they should drive with extra care and consideration.

“This type of road calming measure has been used successfully across the UK and Europe over a number of years. Evidence from previous projects has shown designs like this positively influence driving behaviour by, for example, slowing speeds. Slower motor traffic speeds make a road safer for people walking, cycling or scooting."

Sustrans tested the dragon design in a trial last year and received positive feedback. Seventy per cent of respondents to the charity’s survey agreed that it would make the street safer.

Karen Leach, acting headteacher of St Michael’s Primary Academy, says: “The St Michael’s community will always engage and support projects such as this, which will enable our children to actively travel to school safely.”

Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member with responsibility for cycling, said: “This exciting project complements the recent improvements to the E3 cycle route which runs through this area. Together they will help families and the wider community to walk and cycle safely, not only as we come out of lockdown but embedding a culture of active travel within the city for the long term, which will help provide health benefits and improve the local environment."

We will undertake further monitoring once the community has had time to get used to the changes. This will help us to know how effective the design has been in slowing vehicles, raising awareness of movement around the school entrances and making it more pleasant to walk and cycle to school."

The project is delivered by Sustrans, funded by the Road Safety Trust, with capital funding and in-kind support from Devon County Council.