Scheme puts the brakes on drivers

Up to 78 percent reduction in traffic across Catrine has been reported thanks to the introduction of a School Streets initiative.

School Streets restrict vehicular traffic from roads around schools at the start and end of the school day with the aim of increasing the safety of vulnerable road users, particularly younger children, and encouraging active ways of travelling to school, such as walking, cycling or scooting.

In Catrine, there was overwhelming support for the scheme, which has been trialled since April, with 84 percent of respondents in favour of keeping it in place in the longer term.

Respondents also recognised a number of benefits arising from the reduction in traffic volumes including a feeling of increased safety and community wellbeing.

Traffic speed and volume surveys carried out before the trial started and repeated during the third week of the trial found a substantial- up to 78 percent- reduction in traffic volumes and reported that vehicle speeds have not increased as a result.

The scheme will remain in place while the findings are presented to Council in August.

Councillor Jim McMahon, Cabinet Spokesperson for Community Safety, Roads and Transport, said:“We are extremely grateful to everyone who engaged with the projects and took the time to complete the survey.

“The feedback received will be extremely useful in determining the future of these schemes.

“My thanks go to local residents, parents and staff who have been supportive of what we’re trying to achieve through this initiative which is ultimately to make the journey to and from school safer and healthier for our pupils.”