Reduced school exclusion zone recommended to improve travel safety at Viewlands campus

A reduced size for the SEZ, encompassing an area closer to the schools, is being recommended in an effort to encourage greater compliance with its access restrictions, along with development of a self-regulating one-way system through the campus to lower vehicle speeds and reduce risks of conflict between road users in the area. 

As well as the outcomes of consultation activity, Councillors will hear that enquiries made with other councils that have school exclusion zones in operation indicate that smaller SEZs are more likely to be complied with.  

Additionally, the Committee will be asked to agree a series of additional physical measures to be delivered over the next few years to further improve road safety and support the smaller zone: 

• a PUFFIN crossing on Fairies Road;  

• reconfiguration of the junction at Murray Terrace and Viewlands Road 

• Priority system on Viewlands Road uphill of Murray Terrace  

• A footpath across the eastern section of the frontage of Perth Academy

• Footpath along the south side of Viewlands Road to connect to Glasgow Road. 

Enforcement of the SEZ will continue to be carried out by Police Scotland, who will respond to community concerns as resources permit.  

Economy and Infrastructure Convener, Councillor Eric Drysdale said: "The purpose of putting a School Exclusion Zone in place is primarily to improve safety for children and young people at the school or schools concerned, as well as pedestrians and other road users during the busy school drop-off and pick-up periods. Alongside this, we also want to encourage more pupils to use active methods of travel such as walking or cycling wherever possible.  

"At other schools where a SEZ is in place, we have seen a positive impact on road safety. There is an obligation for us as a Council to promote safer behaviours that reduce these specific risks, and I would hope that through the revised arrangements for this SEZ, the associated improvements to road safety and work with the school communities concerned, road users in general will be broadly supportive of our approach."