Road safety fears after near misses at blind school

Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 08:58

CAMPAIGNERS are demanding new safety measures on a busy road near a blind school after a number of near misses.

The Royal Blind School and St Margaret's School in Newington are calling on the city council to introduce flashing signs to make drivers aware of the 20mph speed limit already in place along Craigmillar Park, which connects South Clerk Street to Cameron Toll.

They say children's lives are being put in danger because of motorists travelling at up to 40mph near the schools.

The city council promised improved safety outside the schools in 2005 and introduced a 20mph zone the following year. But campaigners say the situation has deteriorated and the flashing signs are needed as soon as possible.

The headteachers have now gone to their local MP over the issue of road safety.

South Edinburgh Labour MP Nigel Griffiths is calling for temporary 20mph flashing signs to be put up immediately while a consultation is carried out over the new measures.

He said: "Children return to school this week and the council must tackle this disgraceful delay, which is putting lives at risk.

"After a number of near misses and in spite of the lollipop ladies, traffic is still going at a minimum of 30mph and even 40mph.

"The council's letter from 2005 was very clear that this area was in line for improvements and things have got steadily worse since then. This is a very serious accident waiting to happen."

The council said it would be discussing the issue next month, though any changes would have to follow a public consultation.

Southside and Newington councillor Ian Perry said he would write to the chairman of the transport committee to ask him to treat it as a "matter of urgency".

He said: "Clearly it's unacceptable that cars should speed past any school, and it's even less acceptable when it's a blind school. I would be supporting both headteachers in their demands that something should be done. I understand a consultation is to start soon but this may be too late."

A council spokeswoman said: "There are proposals that a 20mph flashing sign be installed on Craigmillar Park later in the year, dependant on any objections raised during the consultation process."