FAST traffic is putting children's lives at risk, claim road safety campaigners.

A drive to reduce speed to 20mph on all roads in residential areas is being supported by a Knutsford councillor.

Cllr Scott Lowe, who has two children aged seven and nine, said: "I tried to cycle my two children to their primary school as I thought it would be good for their health and independence and be one less car on the school run.

"It was terrifying, cars speeding, no cycle lanes, roads that were really hard to cross, narrow pavements and pot holes.

"There was aggression from many of the drivers even to young children."

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Cheshire East Council is currently consulting the public about speed management.

The draft proposals take account of changing attitudes towards speed and traffic management, particularly since the pandemic when people’s habits and priorities changed.

The authority has pledged to encourage more active travel and provide a safer road environment for everyone.

Residents have until the end of January to have their say.

The independent councillor for the Nether ward is urging residents to express their views.

Cllr Scott Lowe

Cllr Scott Lowe

"This is a unique opportunity to influence Cheshire East Council.

"We desperately need to update our road infrastructure and laws to rectify this so it doesn't always prioritise cars and lorries that pass through our communities and considers the people who live in them."

The 20 is plenty campaign wants 20mph to be normal on residential streets in cities, towns and villages across the country.

Currently, 20mph zones can only be set street by street through consultation with the public and statistical evidence from traffic engineers. Cllr Lowe said: "There is support from all primary schools in Knutsford and many have sent home information in their newsletters to encourage parents to fill in the consultation.

"Two children from Egerton Primary School went to the Cheshire East debate and gave an excellent presentation on what reducing speeds would mean for all children."

Residents can email views by January 31 to smsconsult@cheshireeasthighways.org or fill in the survey at surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/speedmanagementstrategyconsultation/

Once consultation is complete, results will be analysed and used to finalise the strategy, before it is considered for approval by the highways and transport committee.