Claims ‘selfish’ drivers are risking kids’ lives

St Mary’s Lane, next to St Mary’s RC Primary, Lochee, is a pedestrian zone from 8.30am-9.15am and 3pm-3.30pm on school days.

But drivers are continuing to drive up the narrow, cobbled street during these times — with some anxious parents claiming the situation is an “accident waiting to happen”.

Some parents have even taken the step of standing on the road to prevent cars accessing the lane.

Kerry Todd, 37, a full-time mum to Michaela Inglis, five, who started at St Mary’s in the summer, said: “It happens every night — you see cars coming up. It’s so dangerous because you have so many kids all coming out at the same time.

“Some of the drivers don’t realise, but others are just selfish.If there’s an accident it could be fatal because the kids just run out when they finish school to see their pals.”

Diane Reid, 37, said she feared for the safety of her children Skye, Darren and Holly Jones, who are 11, nine and five.

She said: “It’s going to take something awful to happen for drivers to notice, I think.

“You’re going to see a bairn hit by a car sooner or later.

“Some of them apologise and say they didn’t notice the signs, but others are just rude or ignore you. They don’t seem to care.”

Nicola Hammond, whose son Luca Laidlaw, nine, and daughter Poppy Laidlaw, seven, attend the school, said that the problem had eased when police were in the area.

Nicola, 48, said: “The parents fought to have the restrictions put in place and the council did it.

“We had the full backing of the head teacher after we put a petition in — but cars are still coming up the street.

“The danger is, since the restrictions went up, kids now think it’s safer because cars are banned.”

A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “Since early 2013, the entire length of St Mary’s Lane has been subject to a prohibition of driving order between 8.30am-9.15am and 3pm-3.30pm.

“It was brought in following petitions to improve pupil safety around St Mary’s Primary School and the formation of a school parking and pupil safety working group.

“While vehicle speed is not an issue on St Mary’s Lane, it is a narrow cobbled street with two small footways and the proximity of very young children to vehicles is a major concern to parents and teachers.

“We would remind drivers to heed the signs.” Ourvoice

CONCERNED parents have warned that a child could be injured or killed because of “selfish” drivers ignoring traffic restrictions at a Dundee school.

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Parents and pupils leaving St Mary’s RC Primary School at home time, on to the narrow St Mary’s Lane.

A car driving up the street and some of the concerned parents with their children.