Issue - meetings

(1)      Duncan Milne, in relation to item 10.1 (Active Travel to School)

(2)      Catherine Campbell and Anna Fulop, also in relation to item 10.1 (Active Travel to School)

These will be noted in full in the minute.

The Committee heard from Mr Duncan Milne, who advised that he was Chairperson of Glashieburn Primary School Parent Council, and wished to address Members in support of School Streets (Item 10.1 on the agenda).  He explained that in the last couple of years, there had been two children injured going to and from Glashieburn, one on Jesmond Drive at the crossing and the other on Newburgh Road.  The Parent Council had asked the Council, via local Councillors, about various road safety improvements, and Mr Milne explained that double yellow lines had been added; there were ‘keep clear’ markings near the back of the school; and the smiley face speed control signs had been added, but these were only temporary.  The school had asked for an increase to the size of the Newburgh Road barrier, where the last accident had occurred, but were still waiting for that to be done.  They had also asked for the crossing on Jesmond Drive where the first accident happened to be raised into a speed bump, however Mr Milne advised that had not been done, which he thought was due to the fact it was a major thoroughfare and so might impact on the traffic, particularly emergency vehicles.

Mr Milne advised that he had looked at the travel plan in the report, and noted the mention of 20mph zones.  He noted that while these were welcomed, and did reduce speeds, they were not being enforced, and so it would only take one driver speeding for an accident to occur.  He referred to the Aberdeen Cycle Map, and said that he felt the cycling infrastructure in the city was very poor and unconnected.  The cycle paths around Glashieburn were just pavements with blue signs on them to make them dual use, but he advised that they were quite narrow and were therefore putting people who wheeled in conflict with pedestrians.  He noted that the pavement parking ban was another welcome initiative, but that it was also not being enforced, adding that by the time city wardens were called, the people parking on the pavement were long gone. 

Mr Milne stated that in his opinion, the car was king in Aberdeen and it was going to take a generational shift to change the attitude of people.  He advised that when he had challenged parents outside the school, they replied with comments such as “I’ll only be two minutes”, “I’m not doing any harm”, or “I’m in a rush”.  He added that to remove cars from the surrounding school area for a short period of time in the morning and afternoon would make a massive improvement to the experience of getting to and from work, and would also improve the quality of life of residents in the local area. 

Members asked questions of Mr Milne and the Convener thanked him for his deputation.

The Committee then heard from Catherine Campbell and Anna Fulop, on behalf of Ferryhill Primary School parents, also in respect of item 10.1 on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1