Plea after car almost ploughs into children

The children were leaving the former Lairdsland School at Kerr Street, Kirkintilloch when disaster was narrowly averted.

A car, parked on yellow zig zag lines at the front of the school suddenly rolled towards the gate.

Thanks to the quick-thinking of parents, the car was prevented from hitting the youngsters.

Holy Family Primary School pupils have been taking lessons at the former Lairdsland since being decanted there last August.

On their Facebook page, the Parents Council put out an appeal to parents and carers to park safely when picking their children up.

On February 5 they posted: “Another 
potentially serious incident occurred occurred at 3pm today outside of the school.

“A vehicle, unlawfully parked in the yellow markings, suffered what appears was a handbrake failure and rolled towards the gate and emerging children.

“Only the actions of 
parents on the pavement blocking the vehicle’s path was a potential disaster avoided. The details of this have been passed to the authorities.

“Can we once again ask ALL parents and carers to refrain from stopping in the marked area. This, we know, is inconvenient particularly in bad weather but it is for your 
children’s safety.”

Evonne Bauer, Community Protection Manager, said, “Over recent months the Council has been working closely with schools, parents and Police Scotland to promote safe parking in and around our school estate.

We’ve distributed a leaflet highlighting the dangers of irresponsible parking, encouraging parents to drive safely or use alternative methods of travelling to and from school.

“Community wardens have increased patrols and have issued a number of Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to drivers who continue to ignore restrictions and park illegally.”