Next step for car ban near schools
Council officials back £12k pilot scheme
Pupils returned to classes across east Perthshire on Tuesday, just as new road safety measures around schools are in the pipeline.
Parents and other road users near four primary schools will soon be banned from drop-offs outside schools under a £12,000 test scheme.
The exclusion areas in Burrelton, Coupar Angus, Arngask and Luncarty have each been signed off by council officials with a sixweek response period for the orders in place from today.
Under the road bans, routes may be closed at school drop-off and pick-up times, with no access for 30-45 minutes before and after the schools start and end.
It was proposed only cars with a permit will be able to approach the restricted area, which will be signposted with large flashing lights. Exemptions will apply to residents, local businesses, Blue Badge holders and emergency services, school buses and utility companies undertaking emergency repairs.
Councillors agreed to the principle of the test scheme in March, with an 18-month trial at the four schools due to start during the 2016-17 school year, after which their success will be reviewed.
They also heard that it could benefit pupils’ well-being, with youngsters encouraged to walk or cycle to lessons as a result.
Depending on results, it could see it being applied to other schools.
A date for their introduction will be decided in due course.
The first tranche of establishments are all said to have a history of road safety concerns, but also have suitable alternatives such as ‘park and stride’ capability in place.
But, controversially, no schools in Perth or larger Perth and Kinross communities were included.
Councillors backed the scheme six months after a similar move was introduced in Edinburgh, with schools there now no-go areas for cars during the school run. Other councils using the orders include East Lothian.
The success in other areas has led to self-enforcement with a car “sterile” zone around school buildings.
When the capital’s project was introduced last September PKC told us it was keeping an open mind on following suit.
A spokesperson said it “already operates traffic management and road safety measures in the vicinity of its schools such as the provision of yellow lines and restrictions to prevent inappropriate parking”.
“We would give due consideration to such a proposal if the local school and community or communities felt this kind of measure may be helpful.”