Traffic issues Forthill

This week I have raised a number of traffic and pedestrian safety issues with the council; three in particular in the Forthill area. The first is on Nursery Road at Forthill Drive.   I am aware that there have been a few occasions in recent months of vehicles ignoring the lollipop man at this location and residents of the nearby sheltered housing have spoken to me about the difficulty they sometimes have in crossing the road to access the bus stop due to the speed of traffic. 

A few years ago the council agreed to my request to install a pedestrian refuge at this location but I think additional measures are now required. In response to my enquiry the council’s head of transportation said:

‘I will arrange to carry out a review of the existing traffic signs and if there is the requirement for additional signage this will be considered for inclusion within a future minor works programme.  I will also advise Police Scotland of the observation of vehicle speeds in order for them to take any necessary action.’

Concern has also been expressed about vehicular movements in Forthill Drive at Forthill Place, which can be used to access the pedestrian entrance at the rear of Forthill Primary School. In response to this enquiry the head of transportation told me:

‘Due to car ownership and the narrowness of the roads at this location there is a high demand for parking spaces, which is exacerbated at school times.  Any parking restrictions will have an impact on residents as well as parents and visitors, therefore at this moment in time my preference is not to install any double yellow lines to restrict parking for the residents further but will arrange to monitor the situation for what may be a short term problem.

'Following the monitoring period we may reconsider and place a section of double yellow lines for junction protection in this residential estate, or other short term parking restrictions to discourage short term parking associated with the school.’

Forthill Road at Fintry Place

Residents of Forthill Road have asked me if anything can be done to combat the congestion that is caused in their street due to the drop off/pick up at Forthill Primary School’s main entrance. It has worsened in recent weeks with parking on both sides of the road causing a problem.  In response to this enquiry the head of transportation said:

‘With the introduction of the part time prohibition in Fintry Place for Forthill Primary School this prevented cars entering to park in this section of Fintry Place.  There was always the risk if parents insist on driving to the school then vehicles would be displaced to adjacent streets which may have an impact on local residents. There is no immediate easy solution and any additional yellow lines are likely to be unwelcome by residents who will find them to be inconvenient more than a benefit as they will restrict the ability for themselves and visitors to park near their homes.’