Inverness parents have come together to fight for a permanent pedestrian crossing on a busy city trunk road to prevent pupils “lives being put in danger”.
Central Primary School’s parent council wants to see a controlled crossing on Glenurquhart Road, as well as as one on Tomnahurich Street at the Planefield Road junction.
Due to staffing issues, Highland Council confirmed last week there would be no crossing patrol on duty on Monday morning, leading to a number of complaints by concerned parents.
Helen Smith, Vice Chair of the Central Primary parent council said the Highland Council needs to take responsibility for the young people’s safety. She said : “I just think that expecting primary school aged children having to cross a busy trunk road is too much – it’s difficult enough for adults to get across that road. Children struggle to judge the speed of a car at nine and 10 years old. It’s really tricky on that road.
“It’s a question of basic safety; lives are being put in danger. They are expected to cross that road with no crossing patrol. Obviously people have to have a day off but I think the council needs to take responsibility that the children always need to have help in crossing that road.”
Labour MSP David Stewart, a supporter of the campaign added: “I can understand parents’ concerns that there is a problem replacing such absences.
“In every job there are times when staff need time off, for whatever reason, and no-one can blame the crossing patroller.
“However, it is very worrying that there appears to be no contingency plans for a job which does cover road safety for primary school children and parents on what is a busy trunk road.”
