Council working on providing safer routes to school

The council is getting ready for children and young people returning to school next week.

Part of the preparations include making routes to schools safe.

These are the plans the council is now working on:

Murrayburn Primary school

• Closure of Sighthill Loan
• Open gate on Sighthill Gardens for parents to exit
• Yellow lines to be painted on junctions around the school
• Remove damaged guardrail on Sighthill Gardens
• Increase Pavement width on Sighthill Gardens

Gylemuir Primary School 

• Gates to school to be made one way to assist with social distancing for parents
• Park Smart campaign to deter parents from dropping at the school gates
• Increased bike and scooter parking to be discussed with school

Broomhouse and St Josephs Primary Schools

• Opening of gate on Broomhouse to playing fields
• Negotiating Park and Stride location from St David’s Church car park

Carricknowe Primary School

• Foliage clearage to allow more space on the pavement

Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “The return to school next week will be welcomed by many but will pose its own challenges as we adapt to a ‘new normal’. We recognise that families need safe routes into school, where physical distancing can be maintained by parents while children are able to get to the gates safely.

“These measures, which include increasing pavement widths, better bike and scooter parking and more access points will provide more space as well as discouraging parking outside schools, which is something we were already working to achieve.”

Sustrans collaborates with local authorises and other organisations to provide resources and initiatives for promoting active travel and incorporating that into school culture.

We have written before about the Bike Bus run by Blackford Safer Routes. In February this year the council agreed to support bike buses in other areas of the city.