FAMILIES in Riding Mill are enjoying a safer start to 2017 after a new 20mph zone was introduced in the village.

Motorists driving in the residential area of Station Close are now restricted to a top speed of 20mph.

The speed limit was reduced following requests from residents who expresed their concern over the safety of children playing in the area.

Local county councillor Anne Dale used her small schemes allowance to fund the change in speed limit signs after she was contacted by villagers.

She said: “They wanted to make the area more friendly for children as a lot of children live there.

“They wanted to ensure that people kept to a reasonable speed so that the children could walk outside and play safely.

“I consulted with the residents of the street and everybody was supportive of the idea.”

Riding Mill Parish Council was also in support of the new speed limit proposed for Station Close.

Parish council chairman, Coun. Andy Dunhill, said: “We were aware of the concerns. When you turn into Station Close off the main road, it’s quite a narrow entrance.

“If you’re accelerating to 30mph, it’s definitely a quite dangerous situation for children in the street.”