Selfish drivers leave councillors calling for safety features
A campaign to provide a safe pavement for kids walking along a busy road has been derailed by selfish parents parking on it.
Just two weeks into the new term, those who walk to school are calling for warning signs and barriers to deter people who use the pavement to park during the drop off.
Steve Egan, chair of Eliburn Community Council, joined forces with the Parent Council at Peel Primary last year to argue for a pavement to access the school.
Presenting his case to West Lothian Council in December, Mr Egan said: “There’s no footpath to the building between Aller Place and Garden Place. Parents have to cross the school’s car park after struggling along grass verges – pushing buggies through a muddy quagmire.”
“People will take their cars because there’s no safe walking,” he said.
West Lothian Council agreed with the concerns and a pavement was installed during the summer holidays. But it hasn’t stopped selfish drivers.
In a letter to the council this week Mr Egan said: “The pavement was well used, but possibly predictable, inconsiderate motorists were parking, blocking visibility to those crossing.
“Consequently, I would request an immediate audit of the new layout. As a minimum we require zigzag marking at the two crossing points with appropriate Children Crossing signage.
“Action is required before there is a serious accident.”
A parent wrote on Eliburn Community Council’s Facebook page: “Would really love to see zebra crossings on the several places where children, parents, are crossing the street to get into school entrances.”
The call has been backed by local SNP and Conservative councillors.
Councillor Andrew Miller, SNP, said: “The first thing I asked when I saw the plans was how the crossings would be dealt with.
“The building of the footpath was something many of us had been keen to see.
“It would be a shame if the council could not see its way to finishing the project with an adequate and safe crossing to the school.”
Councillor Alison Adamson, Conservative, said: “It is disappointing to have our amazing Eliburn
Community Council and Peel Primary PTA begging for signs and road markings to keep the children safe.
“I believe we need to see two zebratype crossings (one in Aller Place and one in Garden Place )and zigzag lines along the whole stretch of road to keep it clear of vehicles.
“The community police can help out with their Park Smart scheme and it would be great to have their backing for making the area safer.
“It almost seems to be unfinished work. You can’t put a price on the safety of children!”
A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Money from the Town Centre Fund was allocated to create a pavement and crossing near Peel Primary in Livingston, after an application was made by Eliburn Community Council.
“The purpose of the project was to create a general road crossing, not a formalised school crossing point, as this is not the main route to school.
“The works are still ongoing, with tacpads and guardrail still to be installed. However, the crossing has been fully assessed by an independent contractor as safe, and will be inspected once more once the works have been completed.”