Students at Wyedean School in Chepstow travelled to The Senedd in Cardiff last Wednesday (24th April) to deliver a petition to the Welsh Assembly.

The Sixth Form students collected 1200 signatures supporting their campaign to lower the speed limit across the A48 bridge in Chepstow near to Tesco from 50mph to 30mph.

Eight teenagers delivered the petition to the Welsh Assembly, accompanied by five town council members and Assembly Member Nick Ramsay. The mini bus used to get to Cardiff was paid for by Chepstow Town Council at a cost of £140.

Sixth form mentor Isla Arendell said: "It was a fantastic day, the students really enjoyed it.

"Mr Ramsay has invited us back to the Senedd for a tour which we are all looking forward to and the next step is to invite Edwina Hart to the school to see what we have been doing as she was recently appointed Minister for Transport."

The school is currently awaiting response from the Assembly.

Councillors David and Stephanie Dovey, Dale Rook and Ned Heywood joined the students in Cardiff. Having also attended, town clerk Sandra Bushell said of the trip in last week's council meeting: "The young people accounted for themselves very well, they were absolutely charming and delightful. The Assembly get so many petitions but it was wonderful to see that these children have gone out and collected the signatures themselves and worked so hard."

Speaking on the matter, Nick Ramsay AM said: "The Welsh Government has said they will not support the installation of barriers at this location and the South Wales Trunk Road Agency Officers say that relatively recently the speed limit was reduced to 50mph, which they considered was reasonable in traffic management terms.

"Slowing traffic to 30mph would undoubtedly reduce the severance between the town centre and Chepstow. Pupils obviously care very deeply about this issue – I hope their petition is successful."

Image by Mark Elson