Parents were turned away by police as they ignored Dundee’s newest school traffic ban – just days after an altercation at another city school.
Part-time restrictions came into force today outside North East Campus to protect pupils of Longhaugh Primary and St Francis Primary as they arrive and leave.
But lots of cars continued to pass through the area at home time and drivers were spoken to by police officers.
On Friday afternoon two men clashed outside Forthill Primary School, in Broughty Ferry, as one reportedly drove through Fintry Place while the traffic ban there was in force.
Witnesses claim a parent put his hand and schoolbags on the car bonnet to try to get it to stop then threw a punch at the driver when he got out to confront him.
When and where is traffic banned at North East Campus?
At North East Campus driving in Lothian Crescent is prohibited on school days from 8.30am to 9.15am and 3pm to 3.30pm when children are arriving and leaving.
Emergency vehicles and contracted taxis for school transport are exempt, but all other motorists could be penalised by police for breaches.
What happened at North East Campus on Monday afternoon?
Police were at either end of Lothian Crescent yet many cars continued to drive into and out of the street at home time.
Officers stopped a number of cars to remind drivers they are no longer allowed to pass through the street – as many motorists ignored the driving ban on the first day of its enforcement.
There were also cars parked on the grass outside the schools and even on double yellow lines.
One parent, who did not want to be named, said: “If the police are not here to stop cars, drivers will continue to drive through, despite the ban on traffic.
“Then we are right back to square one.”
Another said: “The traffic situation is horrendous and it is difficult to get parked near the school.
“They really need to think about having more car parking nearby because there is nowhere for parents to park when they are coming to pick up their kids.
“I’m not sure this new traffic ban will work.”
When do driving bans start at other Dundee schools?
The pedestrian zone at Forthill came into force in 2013, and since then Safer School Streets – as the restrictions are known – have been introduced at Fintry and St Mary’s primary schools.
They will come into force at five more Dundee schools and another nursery over the next four weeks.
Over the next few weeks, part-time driving bans will come into force at the following Dundee schools:
- Coldside Campus (Rosebank Primary School, Our Lady’s RC Primary School and Frances Wright Nursery) on November 14;
- St Andrew’s RC Primary School on November 21;
- Downfield Primary School on November 28
- Craigiebarns Primary School on December 5.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to be aware of pupil, parent and staff safety around all of our schools…”
Councillor Stewart Hunter
Mark Flynn convener of Dundee City Council city development committee said: “With the North East campus launching and more to come, we are building on the success of two previously long-standing schemes elsewhere in the city, and more recently at Fintry Primary.
“The Safer Schools Streets scheme is helping to change attitudes, the physical environment and other activity, and while we recognise it will take time to get congestion levels down, improve road safety and have a positive impact on air quality, these are things we need to achieve.”
Stewart Hunter, convener of the children and families committee, added: “It is everyone’s responsibility to be aware of pupil, parent and staff safety around all of our schools and this scheme helps to bring that into focus.”
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