Peak time traffic ban at Aberdeenshire schools could be extended
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A trial traffic ban at a Fraserburgh school could be introduced at other locations around Aberdeenshire if it is deemed a success.
A peak time road restriction will be trialed at Fraserburgh South Park School, with measures due to come into force at the end of the month.
Traffic will not be allowed to access Philorth Avenue and St Modan’s Place for an hour in the morning during drop-off and again in the afternoon at the end of the school day.
It is aimed at reducing congestion at the school gates, while also encouraging more active methods of travel such as walking and cycling.
Council officers also say the move would allow pupils to get to and from school safely.
The trial has been developed by Aberdeenshire Council in partnership with the school.
It was given the go-ahead by the Banff and Buchan area committee last August following a public consultation exercise.
Speaking at the time, committee chairwoman Doreen Mair said the trial period was “absolutely warranted”.
Police Scotland has also been involved and will support enforcement of the trial.
Emergency services, blue badge holders, taxis and delivery vehicles will all be excluded from the ban.
The scheme will be the first of its kind in the region, and will run for 18 months.
New signs are to be installed that will flash when the restrictions are in place, similar to the existing part-time 20mph signs.
When the lights are not flashing, the street will be open to all traffic as normal.
Members of the local authority’s infrastructure services committee discussed the pilot project recently.
Councillor Glen Reid welcomed the trial and said he looked forward to hearing the outcome of it.
He also believed there was some interest in it being rolled out across the region.
But he queried why the trial period would take so long.
“I’m glad to see what’s happening at Fraserburgh South Park School, lots of schools in Aberdeenshire face similar issues,” he said.
“Surely you’d think one year would be the maximum time required to ascertain if it’s a success or not.
“If this is successful, I think a lot of members would be interested in having this replicated.”
Transport strategy manager Martin Hall explained that the trial period has to run for 18 months due to the temporary traffic order that will be in place.
But he assured councillor Reid that regular updates would be reported back to members.
And Mr Hall also revealed that the local authority could decide to carry out similar schemes in other locations before the 18 month trial ends.
The 18-month pilot scheme in Fraserburgh will ban access to Philorth Avenue and St Modans Place during peak time school drop-off and pick-up times.
In a first for the council, flashing signs have been installed at the end of the streets to notify drivers when the scheme is in operation between 8.15am and 9.15am and again between 2.30pm and 3.30pm (Monday to Friday during term time).
The scheme, enforceable by Police Scotland, will restrict traffic on Philorth Avenue between Provost Milne Drive and Mormond Avenue and also includes St Modans Place.
During these times, only those vehicles displaying a valid permit will be permitted to access the area and failure to comply could result in the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice.
Council officers have indicated that there will be some exemptions for those with permits including Blue Badge holders, waste delivery vehicles, emergency vehicles, carers and district nurses and delivery vehicles.
Ongoing monitoring will take place over the trial period to determine the success of the project.
