Three Angus school-friendly zones approved amid scheme backlash

They'll be in operation at Carlogie, Letham and Liff primaries

The zones ban traffic from nearby streets at the start and end of the school day for safety
Published 3rd Oct 2024

Just three school friendly zones have been approved by Angus Council from a potential list of nine sites.

The zones ban traffic from nearby streets at the start and end of the school day for safety.

They were trialled in nine schools in the region but will now only be in permanent operation at Carlogie, Letham and Liff primaries.

Kendra Wales, who led the fight against a second school-friendly zone at Muirfield primary in Arbroath, claimed the plan was “forced” on residents using “bullying and dirty tactics.”

Speaking at a communities committee meeting on Tuesday, she said local parents “felt undermined, not listened to and disempowered”.

Council bosses also came under fire at the meeting when it was revealed speed surveys had not been carried out in the trials due to an “oversight”.

There was also no air quality data for some schools due to “technical issues.”

Following Ms Wales’s presentation, Independent councillor Lois Speed said: “I’m a bit lost for words, especially after the presentation… it was very powerful, very alarming and very concerning.

“I feel quite appalled actually.”

Conservative councillor Ross Greig added: “As an experiment, I think it’s gone quite badly wrong in numerous places.

I’m reading through pages and pages of objections from the public – that to me doesn’t sound like it’s worked.”

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