Pupils' short cut sparks safety fears

SAFETY fears have been raised over primary school pupils taking a short cut through an industrial car park.

Staff at Swan Enviro, Loanhead, have erected warning posters and spoken to police and the nearby schools about the dangers.

Children, alone or with their parents, have been weaving through parked cars and lorries to reach Loanhead and St Margaret's Primary schools, at Ramsay Bing.

Works manager Ian Fraser said: "We are very careful, but visiting lorry drivers may not be aware and an accident could happen. It is a concern. Sometimes children wander between parked cars and lorries and some of the parents aren't much better."

Loanhead and District Community Council has called for action, after raising concerns when the council approved the school site. The official access to the school is by a slightly longer route.

Midlothian councillor Owen Thompson said the authority would look into the matter. He said: "There is no chance of being able to block it off. We need to look at it but if people don't listen to what they are being told it is difficult."