Urgent calls for road safety overhaul after boy, eight, hit by van near Edinburgh primary school

Parents of pupils at an Edinburgh primary school that borders a busy road say “urgent action” is needed to improve safety in the area.

South Morningside Primary sits on Comiston Road, one of the main arteries from the city centre to the bypass.

A number of surrounding streets are used heavily not just by children walking to school but also by drivers.

Nadia Cuden knows the dangers all too well. In September, her eight-year-old son Tristan was hit by a van while on his way to school.

She told STV News, “He started crossing. He was probably three-quarters of the way into crossing on his scooter.

“A van turned from Comiston Road into Morningside Drive and hit him.

“Tristan was on the floor, underneath the bonnet. He was scared. He was screaming.”

Parents have spoken out over road safety in Morningside STV News

Tristan did not suffer any serious injuries, but Nadia fears that without changes, it may only be a matter of time before a more serious incident occurs.

“There needs to be urgent action,” she said.

“Something has happened, and I don’t want any other child, not mine, not any other school pupil, to go through this.”

She has set up a petition calling on the City of Edinburgh Council to act.

More than 200 people have signed the online petition, which calls for “continental-style” pedestrian crossings near Morningside Drive, Craiglea Drive, and Greenbank Drive.

The campaign also calls for speed bumps and additional school zone signage to be put in place.

Nadia says these are shorter-term solutions that could be built on in the future, even including ‘quiet streets’ on smaller roads near the school during school drop-off hours.

While parents know some changes will take time, they hope smaller improvements can be made soon with conversations around long-term measures in the future.

With an office next door, MSP Daniel Johnson sees firsthand the concerns of parents at South Morningside.

He is calling on Labour colleagues in the Council to listen to the calls and take action.

Transport and environment convenor Stephen Jenkinson STV News

He said: “We need to see some alterations so that children can walk to school safely, which is what we want them to be able to do.”

Councillors discussed the petition during the Transport and Environment committee meeting on Thursday.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m very grateful to the petitioners for taking the time to address Committee today and I empathise with their position.

“Officers will now explore the available options as quickly as possible. There will also be a site visit from Committee members, ward councillors and officers to gain a better understanding of the current situation.

“Safety for all road users remains a key priority for us.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were called to a crash around 8.50am on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, on Morningside Drive.

“There were no reports of any injuries.

“A 39-year-old man was charged in connection with a road traffic offence and a report forwarded to the Procurator Fiscal.”