Chew Stoke school kids doing their bit to make roads in and around the area safer for all this Road Safety Week have been hailed by the region's directly elected Metro Mayor, Dan Norris.

The Mayor is working with road safety charity, Brake, to remind NE Somerset parents and young people to look out for each other and "be seen, be safe" on the region's roads and pavements.

The Chew Stoke reception kids were out and about with speed guns to encourage drivers to take notice and slow down when they're driving.

After learning safety tips with the preschoolers, the Mayor will help choose the best leaflet with top information about why cutting speed is super important which the school's year 5 and year 6 pupils have been working on in their Maths class which will then be sent home to parents.

Dan Norris, who leads the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, which has invested £12 million in boosting walking and cycling since May 2021, said: "I want to encourage as many NE Somerset locals as possible to walk and cycle, especially for those shorter everyday journeys. That's why road safety really is so important, and there is no better time to start than when you're young.

"Road Safety Week is a fitting moment to remind road users to be extra vigilant and help keep young people safe while they are out and about. It's also a great opportunity for NE Somerset kids with their parents or teachers to learn those key road safety tips to 'be seen, be safe'.

"Let's help make roads and pavements in NE Somerset and right across our West of England region, safer for our young people, and for everyone too!"

Mayor Norris has written to all NE Somerset schools urging them to teach the West's youngsters - and their parents - Brake's life-saving road safety messages.

Lucy Straker, Campaigns Manager at Brake, said: "Every day, five people die on UK roads and many more have serious, life-changing injuries. Speed is one of the biggest killers on our roads and is a factor in one in four fatal crashes. That's why this year we have started a national conversation to talk about speed. We want to talk about why people still think its ok to speed and how slow speeds can make roads safer for everyone.

"We are delighted to see Mayor Norris supporting Road Safety Week and helping young children develop their road safety knowledge."

Vicki Hennesey, Chew Stoke Headteacher, added: "We at Chew Stoke Church School are committed to raising the profile and teaching about the importance of safe, sustainable and active travel. We have been working hard since 2019 to educate and encourage our children and families to travel to school using an increasing number of green modes of transport. 

"It is therefore really important that our pupils know how to keep safe when they are out and about, and particularly around roads. Practicing these life skills in fun, meaningful and interactive ways, like we do at Chew Stoke, is so vital. We are pleased to work with Mayor Norris and Brake this Road Safety Week."

Road Safety Week is the biggest annual road safety campaign. Every year, thousands of schools, organisations and communities get involved to call for safer journeys. For more information, visit: https://www.brake.org.uk/road-safety-week.