Parents: Deal with speeding drivers

Speeding near a Stirling primary school has to be tackled as a matter of urgency according to one concerned resident.

Residents say drivers are ignoring the 20mph speed limit and traffic calming features on Torbrex Road, close to the new St Ninians Primary.

And concerned resident Lorraine Geddes said this week that additional efforts must be made to ensure drivers curb their speed.

Ms Geddes , who enlisted the help of Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford in the battle, said:“I’m very concerned about the speed vehicles are travelling up and down Torbrex Road. It’s particularly worrying due to the proximity to the school.

“I support calls for changes to the road structure so cars are forced to slow down to the 20mph limit and would encourage Stirling Council to look into changing the zebra crossing to a pelican crossing to make the journey to school much safer.”

Mr Crawford, who recently met with residents to discuss their worries, said:“I have previously written, and will be writing again, to Stirling Council to push for traffic monitoring and to encourage them to change the road layout to make it safer. One suggestion that came out of my meeting would be to introduce road wide speed bumps so cars can’t drive between the existing speed bumps as they currently do.

“I hope Stirling Council will look again at this issue and do what they can to make the area safer for children and parents walking to school.”In response to the letter Stirling Council said only police had powers to enforce speed limits.

An official added:“We do have a responsibility to maintain safe roads, so I am concerned that the constituent reports vehicles travelling at excessive speed through this area, as 20mph zones should be self-enforcing through the use of traffic calming features.

“All schools in the Stirling Council area have 20mph speed limits in force on the roads adjacent to their main entrances and we have adopted an Active Travel Strategy that includes a prioritisation process for all School Travel Plan Actions.

“St Ninians Primary School was identified as one of five priority schools for the new financial year late in 2016 and a consultant engaged to undertake a‘Barriers to active travel’identification exercise.

“Speeding was not identified as a problem but I have asked the school travel coordinator to ensure the constituents’ observations are considered for the final School Travel Plan.

“All problems and active travel barriers identified will first have to be examined in detail and any potential mitigating measures arising installed over the coming year.”