Accident fears spark parents’ call for action

May 21 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

ANXIOUS parents this week called for the brakes to be put on speeding drivers outside a new £7.5m primary school in Larkhall – before a child is knocked down and killed.

Residents said youngsters’ lives are being put in danger by drivers speeding at Robert Smillie Memorial Primary School, Glen Avenue.

Now concerned neighbours have called for traffic-calming measures to be installed in time for the new school opening in August 2010.

One parent said: “We fear for our children crossing this dangerous and busy road outside the school. There have been a concerns for a long time about dangerous and speeding drivers in Glen Avenue.

“Do we have to wait for a child to be killed before anything is done?

“There are traffic-calming measures outside many other school across the South Lanarkshire, so why none here?”

Another resident added: “Boy racers use the area as a race track. We hear the screeching noises late at night.

“It’s an accident waiting to happen and traffic-calming measures are definitely needed outside the school.”

Labour councillor Jackie Burns is aware of the parents’ concerns.

He said: “We will continue to monitor and assess the new road layout with a mini roundabout at the junction of Robert Smillie Crescent and Glen Avenue and look at the need for traffic-calming outside the school.“

Work on building the replacement school was expected to begin last year but the project was delayed. Now, if revised plans are given the go-ahead, work will begin on building the new school in September.

Pupils will start there in August 2010.

The school will have seven classrooms, an modern ICT Suite, assembly hall/gym with stage and dining room. Other features include a general purpose room, nursery and MUGA (Multi Use Games Area).

Councillor Burns this week welcomed the revised planning application.

“Unfortunately, the timescale for the new school slipped over the past year,” he continued.

“I met with the head teacher and school board to discuss the new timetable and to look at the design of the new school.

“Parents are pleased with the new design and the £7.5m investment by South Lanarkshire Council.”

A council spokesman said: “Discussions on roads associated with the new school are at an early stage but the concerns of residents will be taken into account.”