Anger at lengthy delay to repair school’s 20mph warning signs

ANGUS parents have hit out at a year-long delay to fix flashing school safety signs outside their village school.

A timer issue with the 20mph warnings at Carmyllie Primary School was first reported around the start of the pandemic.

Fed-up locals in Redford have seen the signs flash at lunchtime and weekends for months, but not at the start and end of the day, when youngsters are walking to school.

One mum called the delay “ridiculous” for a stretch of road that has already seen a dangerous driver convicted of blasting past the school at 75mph.

Jenny Donald, whose children Kara-Lee, seven, and Aaron, eight, attend the school said: “This was first reported just before lockdown last year and since then has been reported another two or three times.

“There is a speeding issue in the village – it’s a straight road and drivers just ignore the limit.”

Jenny, 45, said it is particularly frustrating as the signs do work – just not at the approproate times.

“The signs are working because they flash at lunchtime – when most children stay in the school anyway – and at weekends,” she explained.

“There are a number of children who regularly walk or bike to and from the school.

“Yet the council seem in no rush to fix the signs which might help keep our children safe...and we’re now looking at the schools getting back to normal yet they haven’t managed to sort it.”

“It is particularly frustrating as we know the signs are working and they flash at lunchtime,” she said.

An Angus Council spokesman said: “We are aware of recurring faults and issues with the flashing 20 signs at Carmyllie Primary School.

“We are seeking to refurbish our stock and will continue to maintain and repair to ensure the flashing 20 signs are working at our school sites.”

The council said it had been back at the school at the end of last week in a bid to fix the fault.

“Unfortunately, our efforts to resolve the timer issues were unsuccessful but we are seeking other options to see if we can replace the defective part,” the spokesman added.

In May 2019, a 23-yearold Dundee man was banned for 10 months and ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work after driving past the school at speeds of up to 75mph.

He admitted driving dangerously in what was described by his solicitor during a Forfar Sheriff Court appearance as an “idiotic moment”.