A village in Northumberland has hosted a road safety event, with the Royal Air Force working alongside the community to promote responsible driving. The road safety committee at RAF Boulmer and residents of Longhoughton gathered at the B1339 on Friday, July 3, to highlight the importance of safe and legal driving through the village.
Community Collaboration at the B1339
The event brought together RAF personnel, children from Longhoughton C of E Primary School and RAFA Kidz Nursery, local contractors, Northumbria Police officers, and other community members. The initiative aimed to encourage responsible driving behaviours and raise awareness of road safety among those who live and work in the area.
Road safety committee members worked with students to create flags and banners, which were displayed by all attendees on the day. Organisers Ruth Denley, Philippa Bromley, and Kala Dickinson, who are committee members, parents, and village residents, coordinated the event. A strong turnout from across the village led organisers to thank participants for their enthusiasm, support, and engagement.
Voices from the Community
Ruth Denley commented on the event's significance: "This is a point of real importance for people here in the village, and it impacts us at RAF Boulmer on both a personal and professional level. It is the main coastal road, and it is great that it is a 20 zone, but we need to ensure that everyone is aware that they should use the road safely."
She added: "We would love to make it an annual thing, as it was a real party atmosphere, and it helps to get the message across. We need to make sure that this sticks, and ensure that we are able to play our part in keeping the community that we are part of safe."
Ruth further emphasised: "By working together, we can deliver a consistent and positive road safety message that benefits everyone in Longhoughton." Kala Dickinson echoed this sentiment, stating: "The response from the community was fantastic, and we hope to make this a regular fixture in the community calendar."
Impact and Future Plans
The event not only promoted road safety but also strengthened community ties. With the B1339 being a main coastal road, the 20 mph zone requires constant vigilance. The organisers aim to make the road safety event an annual occurrence, building on the positive engagement and party-like atmosphere that characterised this year's gathering.
