The Mayor of Weymouth was with local school children today (Thursday 6th February) to praise them for suggesting a new message is read out when the town bridge lifts up, which temporarily splits the road in two.
Cllr Jon Orrell, Weymouth’s Mayor, met some of the children from Holy Trinity School at Weymouth’s town bridge, along with councillors from Dorset Council and Weymouth Town Council. He wanted to congratulate some of the town’s younger population after they requested the announcement is amended so that as well as the usual safety messages, drivers are also requested to turn off their engines while waiting.
Keen to help, the Mayor raised the idea with Weymouth’s harbour master and, working in partnership with Dorset Council they were delighted to inform the children that the new announcement is now in operation.
Bridge raised, pictured l-r: Cllr Clare Sutton, Dorset Council, Cllr Jon Orrell, Mayor of Weymouth, and Cllr Mike Sewry, Weymouth Town Council’s Rodwell ward councillor with children from Holy Trinity Primary School.
Cllr Orrell, said: “When the school approached me with the suggestion from children about the addition to the town bridge announcement, I was delighted to help. And it was great to be able to work in partnership with Dorset Council to add a message to drivers to turn off their engines while waiting either side of the bridge. We hope drivers will listen to the message and take action for the benefit of the environment in this picturesque part of our seaside town. Congratulations to the children at Holy Trinity.”
Holy Trinity School Council Leader, Miss Hannah Daykin, added: “As part of Holy Trinity’s celebration of the Great Big Green Week last year, the children thoughtfully considered action that could be taken to tackle climate change and protect nature. We strongly encourage our children to be agents of change and we are delighted that the school council’s suggestion to reduce car emissions has been acted upon. This will undoubtedly inspire others to make their voices heard and to act as responsible citizens, not only of Weymouth, but of the whole planet.”
Ed Carter, Dorset Council’s Harbour Master, said: “I am thrilled to see the community taking an active role in promoting environmental awareness, and I am proud to support this initiative led by our local school children. Their proactive approach to enhancing our town’s environmental efforts is inspiring. We are committed to working together to ensure Weymouth remains a clean and beautiful place for everyone, and this new announcement is a testament to their dedication and our collective effort.”
School children from Holy Trinity inside the control room on the bridge.