Plans for a safe crossing at Banchory Primary School are moving forward after parents raised concerns about children’s safety on the busy road.
Councillors Ann Ross and Eileen Durno heard these concerns and want action. Last year, the local authority cut school crossing patroller posts to save money. This left parents anxious about their children’s safety.
The issue was raised at a recent Marr area committee meeting. Councillor Ross had asked for a pedestrian crossing back in 2018, but it didn’t meet council criteria then. Two patrollers were hired later, but those positions were cut last July.
After the cuts, Councillor Ross pushed for a new crossing. She learned the council could only add six new crossings this year, and Banchory wasn’t on the list. So, she and Councillor Durno submitted a request to prioritize the crossing.
Councillor Durno emphasized the need for a safe crossing for students and pedestrians. She noted it was surprising there wasn’t one already. They wanted to ensure the crossing wouldn’t be delayed further.
Councillor Ross mentioned that kids have been “playing jeopardy” crossing the dangerous road. She stressed the importance of encouraging children to walk to school safely. She also thanked the former crossing patroller, Alan Carnegie, for his dedication.
Parent council chairwoman Zoe Mason-Reid echoed the concerns. She pointed out that unlike nearby schools, Banchory Primary lacks a zebra crossing. The area is busy with a bus route and nearby facilities, making safety crucial.
She noted that while there are signs to slow down traffic, many drivers ignore the 20mph limit. Fortunately, the roads service has agreed to create the crossing, which should be completed later this year, pending budget discussions.
Infrastructure chief Martin Hall mentioned that design work could be done by April, with installation by October. Funding for the crossing is expected to come from external grants.
