INCONSIDERATE parking and an increased number of cars at Commercial and St Margaret’s primaries are putting pupils and parents at risk, a PTA rep claims.

Scott Bain, of Commercial’s parent-teacher association, is concerned about the schools’ travel plans and fears the parking problems will only escalate.

He’s now questioned Dunfermline councillors on the “urgent support and action” being taken to resolve the matter.

He said, “Parents, teachers and local residents have expressed a number of concerns relating to the unsatisfactory parking, management and control of vehicles accessing the two schools.

“There have been a number of vehicular accidents, personal injuries and aggravated instances over the past years which are growing in regularity and creating a significant danger for children and parents attending the school.

“Both schools are regularly communicating with the parent body to encourage alternative methods of travel, reminding parents about parking and suggesting safer walking routes, although these are having little impact on the issue.

“The installation of parking deterrents, poorly marked roads and inadequate signage have been superseded by the growing number of schoolchildren and people travelling from further afield to the schools.

“This problem is expected to increase over the coming year with the potential closure of another local school and restrictions in respect to the Woodmill car park.” Fife Council’s education and children’s services, as well as transportation and environmental services, issued a joint statement on the measures being taken.

These include a ‘pilot’ temporary barrier beyond the lower car park, to prevent “indiscriminate access” between 8.45-9.14am and 2.45-3.15pm.

Officers will monitor the impact of this measure in the area over the coming months.

Discussions are also under way to improve signage, install bollards and road humps.

The statement continued, “Funding for this will have to be supplemented by reviews of the traffic management and school travel plans for both schools.

“The school estate team has raised a feasibility study to cost out signage, bollards, etc.” However, it said work would need to be done to “change the behaviour pattern of drivers”, adding, “Schools have already done a huge amount of work on this over the years but this will need to be continually revisited.

“Transportation and environmental services are supporting education and children’s services in this regard and have contacted the headteachers at both schools to offer support to review their school travel plans in the next academic session.” Officers do not expect the changes at Woodmill Street car park to impact on the schools.