NEW rules to make it easier for speed limits to be cut outside Swindon schools have been demanded by Labour MP Julia Drown.

The South Swindon MP urged transport ministers to relax the criteria used by local authorities to decide whether pleas for lower limits were accepted.

Ms Drown said schools were restricted at the moment, because local highway officers made decisions on the basis of the number of accidents near a school. She said: "Swindon parents tell me they would like to be able to take more factors into account when looking at speed limits

"They want speed limits reduced particularly outside schools so, rather than looking at access, will factors like the environment and the fear of accidents be used?

"These are things that encourage more people to walk their children to school, rather than just the actual accidents that have taken place."

Swindon Council is imple-menting a programme of 20mph limits near some schools.

David Jamieson, a transport minister, said local authorities could already set up 20mph zones outside schools, but new guidance would be issued later this year.

He told Ms Drown: "Reducing the perception of danger does encourage people to walk and cycle, particularly on the school run."