An appeal has been made for Government to protect children by building rumble strips to slow down traffic next to a primary school.

Prospect Primary's PTA public relations officer Terrence Flood said the main road near the Devonshire school could use the strips, as well as lights, to curb speedy motorists which he said routinely travelled through the area at high speed.

Local MP Glenn Blakeney yesterday said he was optimistic that safety improvements could be made, and said Works Minister Derrick Burgess had already introduced traffic calming measures outside schools across the Island.

Mr. Flood said: "I am just appealing to slow the traffic down in the area of the school. Motorists are speeding through. I am concerned because I have grandchildren at Prospect Primary who walk to school."

The idea is now being reviewed by the Ministry of Works and Engineering. A spokesperson said it will decide at a later stage if rumble strips are an effective method of "traffic calming" in school zones.

The strips have so far only been implemented outside Somersfield Academy with flashing amber lights being utilised at other schools.

"The specific schools were chosen to have flashing amber lights due to the number of accidents that were reported at these locations," said the spokesperson.

"The Ministry believes that the use of flashing amber lights or rumble strips are important to ensure the safety of pedestrians and children.

"The Ministry has been monitoring the sites to determine the effectiveness of these measures and have found the flashing amber [lights] to be successful in controlling the traffic flow in the school zones. The Ministry has also noted that thus far the rumble strips have been an effective traffic calming measure and motorists have reduced their speed in these areas."

Speaking to The Royal Gazette for an Up Your Street feature on Devonshire North Central in June, Mr. Blakeney said the road outside the school was a busy thoroughfare during rush hour. "I haven't had any reports of accidents, but I have had reports of concerns because of the risks involved," Mr. Blakeney said at that time.

The Environment Minister said a new bus stop had been installed outside the school during his term as the constituency MP, so children don't have to cross the road.

He added yesterday: "I see no impediment with the request to implement traffic speed control measures and I'm sure the Works and Engineering Minister Burgess will be agreeable to assisting in consideration of ensuring the safety of students, which he has been committed to on an Island-wide basis by provisioning traffic controls, such as speed bumps, in close proximity of schools."

Mr. Blakeney added he has been committed to working closely with Prospect Primary.

In addition to erecting a bus shelter immediately outside the school gate, with the help of Ministry of Works and Engineering, Mr. Blakeney also implemented perimeter fencing around the school field and repairs to its gym floor.

He said: "I also continue to work with Major Barrett Dill (from Bermuda Housing Corporation) who has visited the Prospect community to help with identifying illegal dump areas and the hustle truck has already begun a comprehensive clean-up in the affected areas.

"I am always available to assist any constituent in addressing relevant concerns as Mr. Flood can surely attest," Mr. Blakeney added.