Some 19 schools in Somerset – including in Minehead and Bishops Lydeard – could have new speed limits outside their grounds by the end of the summer.

Somerset County Council pledged in its February budget that all schools in the county would have advisory 20mph speed limits in force outside them by 2022.

The council committed £1.5 million to delivering the first half of these limits in the next year, with the second half being delivered from February 2021.

Officers have now confirmed the 19 schools which will be getting the new speed limits first under what has been dubbed the ‘20 When Lights Show’ programme.

They include Bishop’s Lydeard Church School and Minehead Middle School.

Project manager Nichola Bown gave an update on the programme at a virtual meeting of the council’s policies and place scrutiny committee on June 10.

She said in her written report: “Initial site analysis on a small number of schools – approximately 25 sites – is nearing completion, and the remaining school sites have been prioritised.

“While some site inspections can be carried out, this work is limited and may delay delivery.

“However, it is considered that delivery for some schools is likely to be possible in the current year and task orders are being prepared.”

The council said that the programme was making ‘good progress’ despite disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis, and confirmed it still intended to spend £1.5 million on the new speed limits over the course of the financial year.

A spokesman said: “The schools have now been prioritised based on a number of factors, including injury collision records, traffic speeds and road hierarchy.

“There are some schools already within formal 20mph speed limits or zones, or with other constraints, so the advisory ones may not be appropriate. In such circumstances, these areas are being reviewed to consider whether other measures would be appropriate.

“We are currently planning on delivering the first signs on-site in the summer of 2020, with the work on other sites following.

“It is still anticipated at this stage that delivery of the full programme will be completed by April 2022. The final costs are not known at this stage but a budget of £1.5 million has been set aside for the programme.”