Call for action on traffic issues next to St John's Primary

Congestion and the level of traffic next to St John’s Primary has been described as “extremely concerning,” by a worried councillor.

The speed of cars has also been highlighted as an issue, with concerns prompting calls for another safe crossing or speed bumps to be introduced along the street.

The congestion outside St John's (Image: Newsquest)

Lisa McDaid, who lives on Commercial Road, where the school is situated, is a member of the school’s parent council.

She told the Barrhead News: “My concern is there's going to be a serious accident involving a child crossing the road.

“I moved to this street February 2020, my eldest was already attending the school at that point.

“In that short space of time there's been at least three incidents where cars have been quite badly damaged (and) numerous near misses between cars.

“The road is far too busy for the children to be able to safely cross the road to get into or out of school as they're being forced to cross between cars.

“I myself as an adult even find it difficult to safely cross my children at times due to the level of traffic, speed of some drivers and poor parking etiquette.

“We also experience people using the road after school hours for off road bikes etc.

"They run them from the park at the bottom of the road to the top, turn and come back down at silly speeds without any protective equipment.

“The police have been informed on multiple occasions but unless they actually catch them in the act their hands are tied.

“If the street had speed bumps or traffic slowing measures in place this would also stop this type of activity.”

Recently the pathway connecting Commercial Road and Stewart Street has been shut as Scottish Water contractors Clancy, who have been "liaising with the school", carry out "emergency repairs as quickly and as safely as possible." 

The works, which are set to finish up this week, involve repairing a 300mm sewer pipe within the grounds of the school.

Unfortunately, the pathway closure has added to the already high levels of busyness in the area with more traffic concentrated on Commercial Road as people no longer park on Stewart Street and walk down the footpath.

While this is "making matters worse" at the moment, the traffic issue is a serious and long-standing one.

"Even before the path closed the road was always very congested and resulted in many dangerous situations for not only residents of the street but also the children attending the school,” added Lisa.

“A lollipop man at the top of the street is not sufficient for the level of traffic Commercial Road faces during drop off and collection times.

"I personally (along with other residents of Commercial Road) have emailed East Renfrewshire Council on more than one occasion pleading with them to introduce a second lollipop crossing/zebra crossing at the school or speed bumps along the street.”

Councillor Chris Lunday said he has asked what more can be done to improve safe crossing points, that he is aware that the area is particularly busy due to both schools (St John’s and Carlibar Primary) and that he thinks something needs to be done about it "before someone gets hurt."

The Cllr, who represents Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor, vowed to work with the council "to see what can be done to make the area safer."

“Having recently attended the St John's Parent Council meeting, I was made aware of the extent of the issue and the troubles it is causing for parents, carers and children at St John's,” he added.

“The congestion is extremely concerning and the parent council were particularly concerned about the safety of the children as cars are making dangerous manoeuvres to avoid traffic."

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “These are essential Scottish Water works which are being completed by their contractor Clancy.

"They are expected to be completed by the end of this week.

"During this time, there is an alternative pedestrian route from Stewart Street at the north side of the school which can be used.

"We encourage all those coming to school by car to park considerately and drive at a safe speed, especially during the busy drop-off and pick-up times."

Sergeant James Higgins, Police Scotland, added: “Following community concerns regarding people riding scooters, e-scooters, and off-road bikes illegally, we have made a number of detections, and those vehicles were seized and taken off the road.

“We are also working in schools to emphasise the dangers of riding on public roads without a licence or insurance.

“If you see someone riding a vehicle illegally or in an anti-social way, please contact police at the time the bikes are in the area and if you can, provide the descriptions of those riding the vehicles, any vehicle description and registration numbers if known.

"This type of activity is dangerous, disruptive and causes damage and it is essential that the local community continue to work with us to catch those taking part.

"Anyone wishing to report this kind of crime should call Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”