Work to begin on new school

East Dunbartonshire Council leader Rhondda Geekie insists the measures will reduce the risks for pupils travelling to and from school.

Her assurance comes weeks after angry local residents hit out at the access route for heavy traffic involved in the 
construction of the new school, claiming
children’s lives would be put in danger.

The building is being erected on the site of Woodhill Primary, replacing the latter, as well as Auchinairn Primary School and 
Cleddens Learning and Childcare Centre.

The council is not permitting parents of primary school pupils to bring their cars on to the school site.

Instead, spaces will be limited and reserved for early years drop-off, the school bus and staff parking.

To support this, the school gate at Kirriemuir Road will only be open for pedestrian access in the morning and afternoon, and will be closed to vehicles at busy times.

During school drop-off and pick up times no construction traffic will be allowed to move to and from the site.

No construction traffic will use Kirriemuir Road, as this will continue to be the main pupil access to the school and Cleddens Early Learning and Childcare Centre. Construction traffic will come onto the site from Ochil Road.

Council leader, Rhondda Geekie, said: “The safety of our pupils is of the utmost importance and all the measures being introduced are to reduce the risks to children travelling to and from school.

“There will be an increased community warden and police presence during school drop-off and pick up times.

“Kirriemuir Road, Thrums Avenue and Ochil Road are often busy and parking may be difficult. Please look for alternative places to park and be considerate to local residents.”

Protesters living nearby are objecting, on safety grounds, to the access route to the site via Thrums Avenue and Ochil Road, which they say are narrow residential routes and not suitable for heavy lorries.