A WIRRAL grandfather is lobbying councillors to step up plans to reduce speed limits in Wirral.

Michael Sullivan from Pensby is campaigning for 20mph to be enforced around two local primary schools.

He wants Wirral Council to bring in the restrictions sooner rather than later near Pensby Primary in Kentmere Drive and Ladymount Catholic Primary in Portal Road and has launched a petition for residents.

And so far more than 600 people have signed up to show their support for motorists to slow down.

Michael, 61, said: “I have felt very strongly about this for a long time and think that drivers need to slow down in residential areas, particularly around schools. I live in a large community where there are lot of elderly people and young children and something needs to be done.

“I know the council is planning to introduce 20mph over a period of time but I want them to stop stalling over it and do it now.

"I am also hoping to campaign in the future for appropriate ways to actually enforce this plan – signs telling drivers to slow down often don’t work but special speed cameras or other measures might help this.”

Michael’s campaign follows calls from Wirral Lib-Dems to make progress with the 20mph plan for residential roads.

Councillor Pat Williams said: “This policy was agreed and budgeted for by both the previous Conservative-led and Labour-led coalition administrations - the Lib Dems have long campaigned for 20mph zones.

"But despite the money being available right now, not a single residential 20mph scheme has been introduced during this past year.

"We all know the statistics. Speed is one of the key factors in reducing both the number and severity of road traffic accidents.

“This is why it is so important that we do all that we can to protect pedestrians and reduce the speed at which traffic moves around the borough in locations where these vulnerable road users are most likely to be."

But Wirral cabinet member for streetscene and transport services Cllr Harry Smith said the authority is working to implement the scheme as soon as possible.

Councillor Smith said: “We had been awaiting detailed guidance from Government about the implementation of 20mph zones.

“This was only received in November and officers are now working to fulfil the council’s resolution to implement widespread 20mph speed limits on residential roads as quickly and effectively as possible.”