YOUR children need you.
Anti-speeding campaigners have this week joined forces with the Gazette to recruit an army of volunteers, to keep youngsters safe from dangerous drivers outside Brentwood's schools.
Our Safety At Schools (SAS) campaign, launched in February 2012, has gathered new momentum following the creation of the Hutton Community Speedwatch.
We are now looking to sign up as many volunteers as possible to Bal Chhokar's safety initiative to cut speeding traffic, not just outside schools but in other parts of Hutton too.
Mr Chhokar, of Hall Green Lane, decided to act after a 13-year-old schoolboy broke his hip after being knocked down by a car outside St Martin's School last year.
"The more people who get involved the better," Mr Chhokar said this week.
"Our campaign is primarily focusing on schools at the moment but it is for the wider area too."
To start with, the fledging group will carry out speed checks in Hanging Hill Lane, Hutton Drive, Rayleigh Road and Wash Road.
Mr Chhokar said traffic was travelling along Hanging Hill Lane much slower after motorists saw the team on their first outing but several cars were still recorded breaking the 30mph speed limit.
He added: "People talk about doing something about speeding all the time.
"Here is an opportunity to get involved and show the community how they feel about their town."
Our push for 20mph signs installed at various points across the borough has also been given new momentum.
Essex County Council has reviewed its speed management policy and will now consider paying for 20mph signs outside schools.
The 12 Essex local highways panels will now also be able to push speed reduction schemes.
Brentwood Borough Council leader Louise McKinlay, a supporter of the SAS campaign who has lobbied the county council for the introduction of 20mph signs, said: "The next stage for us is to see where the campaign can be put in to make it most efficient.
"If people feel they own the campaign it will be recognised more and we are more likely to get residents' support and then take the plans to the highways panel."
