Pupils take the right road

The young folk of Williamwood High had had to negotiate four separate traffic streams on their way to school.

But now — thanks to East Renfrewshire Council along with a cash injection by SPT — a new footway has been built which allows the youngsters to get to school with a much-reduced fear of negotiating heavy traffic.

The council constructed the path with a £10,000 funding cash-boost from SPT.

The new footway was created to provide pupils walking to and from school from the Eaglesham Road end direct access to the building.

As well as removing the need to negotiate the four traffic lanes, it also leads directly to a bus stop on the main road used by many pupils attending the Clarkston school.

Councillor Tony Buchanan, convener for infrastructure and sustainable growth, said: “This is a welcome improvement for Williamwood.

“It will make a big difference to pupils walking to and from school and it’s great that we were able to open it from the start of the new term.

“A huge thanks to SPT for coming on board to help provide these improvements­ - we were delighted to work with them on this project.”

SPT chief executive Gordon Maclennan said: “SPT is committed to supporting member councils in their endeavours to provide safer, sounder infrastructure and this walk way adjacent to Williamwood school is a great example of this.

“Another of SPT’s key aims is to promote active travel which has multiple benefits both to the individual in improving general health and the environment by reducing emissions.”

Williamwood pupils applauded the move with Head Boy Cameron Angus commenting: “This has improved things a lot: it’s much better.

“Before there would have been a lot of pupils crossing and very busy at times — particularly the afternoon — so this is great.”

Libby Corcoran, also from S6, said: “It’s safer and more practical: it’s made things easier when you get off the bus.”