Warning over zig zag line parking at schools

Drivers parking on zig zag lines outside schools in North Lanarkshire could soon face a fine and an endorsement on their licence.

Currently the road markings outside schools are only advisory but a council motion raised back in December 2019 stated that regulations be introduced so that the ‘Keep Clear’ lines would become enforceable in a similar fashion to double yellows.

The new proposals would restrict parking on school zig zag markings seven-days-aweek, 24-hours-a-day.

And, where possible, would include the provision of zig zags on both sides of the road at school entrances.

Introduction of the road safety measure would see irresponsible drivers facing a financial penalty and three penalty points.

Following the motion two years ago, a Road Safety Working Group was set up and a consultant appointed to progress a draft Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) required to implement enforceable zig zag lines at schools in North Lanarkshire.

The enforcement is expected to come in three phases. The first phase will include a total of 26 schools that already have zig zag provisions in place with no changes required.

The second phase would be implemented at a further 74 school locations which already have zig zags in place, but changes would be required at each of them to comply with current regulations.

The third phase would involve introducing zig zags at 38 schools which don’t already have them.

That would include the following schools in the Airdrie area: the road markings would have to be introduced outside Airdrie Academy, Mavisbank School, St Margaret’s High, Tollbrae Primary, St Edward’s Primary, All Saints’ Primary, Devonview Family Learning Centre, and the shared Plains Primary/st David’s Primary campus.

And in the Coatbridge area: Willowbank School, Coatbridge High, Sikeside Primary, the shared campuses at Buchanan High/ St Ambrose High and Glenboig Primary/ Our Lady & St Joseph’s, as well as St Kevin’s Primary in Bargeddie are all currently without any zig zags situated on the roads outside.

Statutory consultation is required as part of the TRO process.

It is expected that all consultation for the schools in Phase 1 will be concluded by next month.

Consultations for those in Phases 2 and 3 should be concluded by March 2022 and June 2022 respectively.