By Andrea Lambrou

Copyright dailyrecord

Fuming parents at a South Lanarkshire primary school say that cars are speeding inches from their children as they walk to and from school. Local campaign ‘The Fast and the Furious Cambuslang’ was launched after at least 17 accidents and incidents involving children, cyclists, residents and drivers on Brownside Road outside West Coats Primary in Cambuslang . Shocking data gathered by South Lanarkshire Council in March 2024 shows that 58 per cent of drivers speed in the Twenty’s Plenty zone. Flashing safety signs which are supposed to enforce a 20mph limit outside the school have remained broken for more than a year. And data gathered from Freedom of Information requests shows Police Scotland have issued just two speeding tickets in six years. Concerned parents say this has led to 17 accidents in the last 16 years, including a worrying incident that sparked the campaign where a primary one pupil was involved in an accident outside the school in August 2023. The following year a primary two child was involved in a near miss at the same spot. And earlier this year a bus carrying children was involved in an accident just a few feet from the school gates. Parent Yvonne Stainforth who was involved in the near miss involving the P2 child said: “When me and my son were nearly hit on the way to school it was terrifying. The council and police need to take some proper action before something much worse happens.” Grandparent Carol McPherson who is also part of the campaign described it as a “perfect storm” of danger. She said: “The argument that there is no money available for this is nonsense – it’s a choice, and it should be a very easy one given that there have been 17 reported accidents on Brownside Road in recent times. “As a grandparent, it is beyond me how the safety of young children could be jeopardised in this way when it’s obvious what needs to be done.” Mireia Ferrer, chair of West Coats Parent Council added: “I’m seriously concerned at the regularity of these incidents. Sharp street corners and narrow pavements in a residential area should have tighter speeding control. It’s a no-brainer.” Stepping up their fight for road safety measures, parents have created a two-minute YouTube video showing cars travelling past as small children try to navigate the school run safely, as well as a number of car wreckages. Parents are set to meet with council transport chiefs next week after claiming they were “repeatedly turned down” when they requested speed cameras. Dangerous conditions outside the school have been raised repeatedly by MPs, MSPs and councillors and parents and pupils have also confronted drivers with banners urging them to slow down. They are challenging South Lanarkshire Council and Police Scotland to finally take action with cameras, lights and other traffic calming measures. South Lanarkshire Council roads chief Colin Park said: “A meeting is scheduled for next week between Roads and Transportation, representatives of the parent council, community council and area politicians to discuss concerns raised. Officers are also helping the school to review its new School Travel Plan.” A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Road safety is a priority, and we work closely with partner agencies to ensure this. “We actively monitor collision data, local intelligence, offending history and speed data surveys carried out by our partner agencies to ensure our resources are appropriately deployed. “Officers are also helping the school to review its new School Travel Plan. “The dangers of speeding are well-known. People who speed not only put themselves at risk, but also other members of the public and drivers should take responsibility for their own actions when they get behind the wheel. “We urge drivers to remain within the speed limit and help ensure safety for themselves and other road users. “Anyone with any concerns about drivers or speeding should contact police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.” *Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live is on Facebook ? Head on over and give us a like and share!