Traffic calming measures are now in force on a road in Eastham as new figures show that dozens of children have been hit by vehicles in Wirral over the past four years.

Plymyard Avenue has already had traffic counts installed earlier this year, but cushions, signs and roundels have been added during November.

The 20pmh zone runs from the corner of Heygarth Road by Raeburn Avenue, down to the junction with Plymyard Avenue at Heygarth Road, then southwards along Plymyard Avenue to Eastham Rake.

Eastham Ward Councillor, Phil Gilchrist, said: "South Wirral High School has become more popular. It is drawing students from a wide area again.

"Buses bring students from some distance and there is some congestion. There are car drivers who try to get through the area adding to the pressures.

"Governors at South Wirral High and Heygarth Primary pressed for and welcomed the scheme.

Wirral Globe: Traffic calming measures were implemented in Eastham following consultation with residentsTraffic calming measures were implemented in Eastham following consultation with residents

"I have stood on Plymyard Avenue by Heygarth Road and noted drivers slowing with their stop lights coming on, so a good number are recognising it is there.

"A minority are less careful and I have seen the 20mph sign flashing as they approach it.

"Over time the way some drivers respond does need to change. That would mean leaving enough time for their journeys to take account of local concerns."

Analysis of Department for Transport figures by insurance company Churchill reveals that between 2017 and 2020, 44 children were hit by a vehicle in Wirral.

Of them, nine were seriously injured.

Primary school aged pupils made up 11% of all 387 adult and child pedestrian casualties recorded by the DfT in 2017-20.

Churchill's analysis found seven incidents in Wirral involving a casualty aged between four and 11 happened in a 20mph zone, while one was within 500 metres of a school.

The figures also show that 11 children were hit during school 'rush hours', either between 7.30am and 8.30am or between 3.30pm and 4.30pm.

Kirsty Hoad, from Churchill, said the figures highlighted the importance of teaching road safety to children as early as possible.

She added: "With more than half of primary school children walking or cycling to school, this is one obvious area where children will need to know how to stay safe.

"We encourage everyone to take an active role in educating young children in their lives about road safety."

She advised motorists to take extra care near schools and said speed restrictions were in place to protect children and should be observed at all times.

Rod Dennis from the RAC called for more 20mph zones to be introduced around schools, saying physical traffic calming measures also played a part in making streets safer.

Mr Dennis added: "There is also a clear onus on drivers who use the car to drop off or pick up their children to think about their driving."

He said parents could send a positive message to others by walking and cycling to school or parking away from the school gates.

Nearly a quarter of the incidents recorded nationally resulted in severe injuries, with 36 youngsters killed between 2017 and 2020.