RESIDENTS in a Barrhead street fear it is just a matter of time before “irresponsible” parking by parents near a primary school ends in tragedy.

Concerns have been raised about the number of drivers who park outside St Mark’s Primary while dropping off or picking up their children.

Thomas Wilson, who lives in Aurs Glen, told the Barrhead News he regularly witnesses “inconsiderate” parking by parents whose kids attend the school.

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“Parking is a historic problem that has been going on for as long as I have lived here – and that is more than 20 years,” he said.

“It happens during the week for a 10 to 15-minute window at 9am and again at 3pm.

“Parents park right across the T-junction at Aurs Glen, half on the pavement and half off it. They also park in Arthurlie Avenue, opposite the T-junction.

“At the same time, children are going in and out of school and running across the road. I’m surprised no-one has been seriously hurt.

“Drivers are parking on yellow lines on either side of the road. That’s where the problem lies.”

Mr Wilson, who is a personal trainer, is also concerned an ambulance or fire engine would be unable to access Aurs Glen if an emergency took place while so many cars were parked there.

He said: “If you go along Aurs Drive, there are bollards. Why doesn’t the council do that in Arthurlie Avenue too? If they did it along one side of Aurs Glen, perhaps that would help as well."

East Renfrewshire Council has agreed to spend £350,000 on the parking problem at St Mark’s Primary, after campaigners called for derelict land at the old Arthurlie Family Centre to be used as a drop-off point to reduce traffic at the school gates.

The local authority is set to demolish the abandoned centre to make way for a 25-space car park, as well as creating a 25-space ‘drop area’ and a path to provide direct access to the school, by the end of August 2020.

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A council spokesman said: “Safety of pupils when travelling to school is an absolute priority and we continue to promote a range of initiatives to encourage families to leave their cars at home.

“If parents are bringing their child by car, it is important they remember parking restrictions are in place around schools to help ensure a safe environment for children and to allow other road users freedom of movement.

“We regularly remind parents and carers to park appropriately and observe the restrictions in place.”