School walking routes review

A further review of North Lanarkshire’s policy on school walking routes is to be carried out after councillors called for more safety assessments.

A report presented to the recent infrastructure committee had recommended two main updates, based on West of Scotland road safety forum advice — which were to analyse pedestrian accident histories as part of route assessments, and to carry out a traffic “gap analysis” to calculate opportunities available for pedestrians to cross at busy points.

However, it noted: “The guidance assumes that parents/ guardians or carers have arranged for children to be accompanied as necessary and that all persons will exercise reasonable caution and adhere to road safety rules.

“The motion asks that this matter be revisited. Having reviewed the overall approach, it is considered that this is an essential principle upon which assessment can operate.

“It is for the parent/ guardian or carer to determine at what age their child can make journey on their own.”

Councillors unanimously agreed when infrastructure convener Michael McPake proposed that the issue be continued until the committee’s next meeting to allow for “more consultation on this very important issue”.

Coatbr idg e Nor th representative Allan Stubbs said: “There shouldn’t be the assumption that parents are walking children to school, but the report has that.

“This is serious and we want [any new policy] to be in force by the start of new school year.”