Parents’ fury at path peril
Contractors’ work causing‘mayhem’
A row has broken out between the council and parents who say children are being put at risk by contractors working outside a West Lothian primary school.
Parents say they are “horrified” that youngsters are having to dodge diggers and dumpers while work is carried out to widen a path and create a cycle route outside St Joseph’s in Whitburn.
They say there have been several near misses and it’s only a matter of time before a child is knocked over.
The parents are calling on the council to instruct contractors to down tools in the morning when children are being dropped off and when school finishes in the afternoon.
One mum, Janice Bennie, who has two children at the school, said she is also concerned about traffic management in general around the school.
She described the situation as “chaos” and a tragedy waiting to happen.
Janice said: “There are issues regarding children arriving and leaving the school safely as the plant and machinery are still in operation and one parent had to steer a child who was cycling to school out of the way of a vehicle which was on the path.
“Another parent has spoken with the contractors who have informed her that there are no restrictions to the contract entered into with the council for the works and there are no plans to restrict working around school start/finish times.
“I know these guys have to work and in the long term widening the path will improve safety, but in the meantime it’s mayhem.”
Mary Murphy, whose three grandchildren attend St Joseph’s agreed, saying: “It’s manic and a real worry.
“They should be stopping when the kids are coming in and out of school.
“My husband is a delivery driver and he’s not allowed in an hour before of after the school run.”
The parents have also been in touch with the council’s Road Safety officers, pressing them to put traffic management plans in place for the long-term once the work is finished by contractors at Gateside Road.
Janice added: “I would like to see a long-term plan for dropping off or picking up and no access put into place from the council with appropriate signage and road markings.”
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said measures had been put in place during the school run to ensure safety.
He continued: “The improvements taking place outside St Joseph’s Primary in Whitburn are part of a larger programme of works designed to make the roads safer and encourage active travel, such as cycling and scooting, in the area.
“We have worked with the contractor to ensure pupil safety is the key priority at all times, with additional safety measures in place during school drop off/pick up times.
“Council officers have also been onsite to check for safety and have no concerns about the work, which is due to be completed next week.
“As well as creating a new pedestrian and cyclist shared-use path linking to the school, additional ‘School Keep Clear’ yellow road markings have been installed. This will result in the whole area directly outside the school being kept clear of parked vehicles and will significantly improve safety for pupils.
“We would encourage parents or carers parking around St Joseph’s, or any school in West Lothian, to be considerate. Any vehicles parked in a unsafe or obstructive manner should be reported to Police Scotland on 101.”