A car-free zone could be set up around a Blantyre school to improve road safety and aid with social distancing.
St Joseph’s Primary could soon be free of vehicles after the council’s roads safety forum supported the move on Tuesday, November 17.
Consultation with local residents and information events had taken place in November and December 2019 but initial plans were shelved following the coronavirus lockdown in March.
Half of the 20 respondents were in favour of a Car Free School Zone (CFSZ) at St Joseph’s Primary.
The zone could now be introduced early next year to aid with social distancing around the school and improve road safety.
Ennisfree Road and Park Lane would cover the zone at St Joseph’s.
Three-quarters of respondents agreed that there were “significant difficulties” with parking at St Joseph’s Primary during school hours.
Nine in ten also agreed or strongly agreed that a CFSZ was “required” to improve road safety.
Residents and business within the proposed zone, blue badge holders, school staff and pupil transport would all be eligible for permits to enter the car-free zone while emergency vehicles would be exempt and free to access the zone when required.
In a report to the forum, executive director for community and enterprise resources Michael McGlynn said: “Since [the consultation], the Covid-19 pandemic has taken hold and as a direct consequence of this the Scottish Government have put in place funding to assist with social distancing messaging and measures where there is high pedestrian activity at points on the road network that are constrained.
“One of these was the Spaces for People initiative where one of these projects will introduce measures outside schools to provide social distancing and active travel messages as well providing an environment outside schools where this can take place.
“A phased implementation of measures have been identified with the extension of the car free zone project a possible later phase.
“Consultation with Police Scotland showed support for the initiative, but they advised that they could not guarantee a presence every day. They would however look at providing a suitable presence on the first few days of implementing each CFSZ.
“Draft Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders will be amended and progressed with a view to implementing the agreed CFSZs early in 2021.
“The current Covid-19 situation may affect our proposed timelines, and these will be kept under review.”
Burnside Primary in Rutherglen could also get a car-free zone.
