MOTORISTS are being urged to slash their speed in a bid to keep kids safe during the long school break.

A summer campaign has been launched by parish councils around the region in an effort to hammer home the need for drivers to slow down to 20mph near schools, playgrounds and busy streets.

Several villages and towns in North Lincolnshire have already signed up to the Twenty's Plenty scheme – including Althorpe and Keadby, Kirmington, West Butterwick, Croxton, Winterton and more.

Ben Nobbs, member of Brigg Town Council, said speeding was a real problem on some of the main roads in his town.

But he said the campaign could make a difference – and had done in the past when people filled the town with cards asking drivers to travel at 20mph in vulnerable areas.

"Twenty's Plenty is a brilliant idea," he said.

"I think it definitely makes a difference – it gives motorists pause for thought.

"It's important to take care at any time, but particularly when children are around playing during light evenings."

Some schools in North Lincolnshire are in special safety zones that have permanent signs telling drivers to stick to 20mph during certain times of the day.

The Twenty's Plenty scheme is different – and relies on participating parish councils to raise awareness and distribute postcards, posters and leaflets about the project in their communities.

Pete Scott, head of Safer Roads at North Lincolnshire Council, said: "Twenty's Plenty is a scheme where the North Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership and local communities can work together to improve road safety in residential areas.

"It is so important that drivers, most of whom will be residents of the area themselves, switch on to the need to keep speeds down on residential roads.

"This applies all year round, but is particularly important during the summer months, when children will be out and about playing in the evenings.

"A number of town and parish councils, neighbourhood watch groups and residents' associations already take part in the scheme and distribute literature locally."

Councillor Bernard Regan, cabinet member for highways and planning at North Lincolnshire Council, also gave his backing to the scheme.

"While this is not a mandatory requirement, we would like to see all motorists keep their speeds down in residential streets," he said.

"By reacting positively to this campaign, you will be making our streets safer for everyone."

Sara Potter is clerk to Keadby And Althorpe Parish Council, which has recently joined in the scheme.

"We're going to get the cards up in places like the post office," she said.

"It is really important that drivers slow down and are aware of what speed they're doing. In Keadby there is a problem in Station Road, where vehicles use it like a race track."

Anyone looking for information on the campaign should call the Road Safety Partnership on 01724 297478.