HIGHWAYS chiefs have insisted that a scheme to reduce the speed limit outside Allendale Primary School is still alive.

A proposal to reduce the existing 30mph limit on the B6303 outside the school, to 20mph, has been in the pipeline since last year.

But this week, two Allendale residents wrote to Northumberland County Council, calling for immediate progress.

Ray Tilley and Lily Brennan said that action must be taken to slow down traffic outside the school in the interests of road safety.

Their letter stated that speeding through Allendale was a general issue, but stressed the situation was “particularly dangerous” when youngsters were arriving at and leaving school.

The county council said it is in the process of introducing 20mph zones outside all Northumberland schools, where it is feasible to do so.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “A scheme has been developed for Allendale, however the original proposals have had to be amended following advice obtained from the Department for Transport.”

She added that a revised scheme will be discussed by Allendale Parish Council, before being implemented as soon as possible.

The local authority insisted that the existing 30mph limit outside the school will remain until the new scheme is implemented.