Brent students design road signs to tackle speeding

The initiative, called ’20 is Plenty – Make it Seen!’, aims to combat the rising number of near-misses and accidents around Crest Academy in Crest Road, Neasden, where staff say drivers routinely ignore the existing 20 mph speed limit.

Headteacher Andrea Rosewell said: “The current signs don’t command attention.

“We empowered our students to create solutions ensuring drivers see and heed the life-saving limit that already exists.”

MP and councillors back children’s call for action on Neasden speeding (Image: Crest Academy) The competition had more than 500 entries, with six students’ designs chosen as the winners.

These were Jawhara Haider from Year 7, Emma Kaushal, Daitrik Kantilal and Nermen Alqaid from Year 8, and Colin Selvanayaugam and Mirriam Draegon from Year 9.

Under the guidance of head of art Lamia Miezou and head of sixth form Rohan Sood, the students created bright and visible posters that have been placed on lamp posts on Crest Road.

These aim to catch the attention of drivers and encourage them to comply with the speed limit.

Deputy headteacher Akeem Edwards said the campaign directly targets the “driver complacency” that has ignored existing signs, turning the road into a “gallery of vigilance”.

The project is a collaboration between the school, community leaders, councillors, police, and MPs.

It has also drawn support from Brent East MP Dawn Butler and Dollis Hill ward councillor Arshad Mahmoud.

Cllr Mahmoud said: “Students transformed invisible rules into undeniable demands for child safety.

“Their vibrant posters are a powerful call for drivers to protect our children.”

The school hopes the posters will prompt Brent Council to explore extra measures to curb speeing, such as better signage or physical calming features, with community consultation anticipated.

These could include more official signage or physical calming features.

Ms Butler added, “Evidence of ignored limits – amplified by these brilliant posters – makes strengthening compliance urgent.”

Safer Neighbourhoods Team including Sergeant Matthew Leighton reinforced police commitment: “We’ll continue targeted enforcement on Crest Road because slower speeds save lives.”

The campaign is part of a two-phase strategy, with the second phase involving Crest Academy, Brent Council, and the Safer Communities Partnership preparing a bid for Transport for London resources.

This will aim to secure funding for permanent traffic calming measures across the wider Neasden area.