Flashing signs to alert drivers about pedestrians have been installed in West Barns to improve safety for pupils walking to the nearby primary school.
A pair of twin amber flashing units (TAFU) have been mounted on the village’s Edinburgh Road on the route many youngsters take to West Barns Primary School.
East Lothian Council installed the signs after West Barns Primary School Parent Council highlighted a need for additional road safety measures.
The council previously reduced the speed limit on this section of Edinburgh Road from 30mph to 20mph after listening to parents’ concerns.
Junior Road Safety Officers from P5 and P6 at West Barns Primary joined headteacher Christine Rednall and Scott Marjoribanks from the Parent Council to check out the lights which began operating on Tuesday, 21 April when pupils returned after the Easter holiday.
TAFUs are designed to warn of pedestrians to help change the behaviour of speeding drivers.
The signage on Edinburgh Road will also enable the council to monitor traffic speed levels.
Safer for children
Scott said: "Road safety around West Barns Primary is a longstanding concern that is regularly raised by parents. In particular, speeding on Edinburgh Road is putting children at significant risk every day as they travel to and from school.
“We welcome the steps the council has taken and hope they will have a positive impact on driver behaviour, ultimately reducing the risk of accidents.
“We will continue to work with the council to explore further measures to improve road safety and ensure our children can travel to school safely.”
An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “We’re grateful to the Parent Council for their advice and support in providing these additional road safety measures and volunteering to operate the sign. We hope it will make it easier and safer for children to enjoy the benefits of walking to and from school each day.”