Improved safety measures for Miller Academy pupils

Member of the Caithness Area Committee have given the go-ahead to a project to improve the safety of pupils walking and cycling to and from Miller Academy in Thurso.

£20,000 will be spent creating a footpath and installing a barrier with linings on the ground to make the usage of the drop off area at the school safer for pupils.

Funding for the project will come from the Scottish Government’s Cycling Walking and Safer Street Programme which aims to encourage sustainable and active travel to school by improving safety.

The Highland Council’s Road Safety team work with schools to produce School Travel Plans to develop Safer Routes to School and encourage more young folk to make their journey to school an active one – by walking or cycling. The team will be continuing to work with Caithness schools to develop further Safer Routes To School projects and apply for funding.

Chair of the Caithness Committee, Councillor Roger Saxon welcomed the project.  He said: 

“The rear gate at Miller Academy has been a worry for parents, teachers and councillors for some time. It doesn’t have a 20mph zone and it’s the bus drop-off point.

“This is an excellent example of how improvements around our schools can make an impact of the health and wellbeing of our children now and in the future. Once the measures are in place we can encourage parents to get their children walking more while reducing the number of drop-offs at the school gates and minimising the potential for accidents. It’s a win-win situation, healthier and safer children will be happier children.

“I would encourage all parents to take the initiative that Miller has and think about their child’s journey to school; if it could include more exercise whilst keeping them safe. Ask if your school parent council has a travel plan and work with the council’s road safety team to make improvements.”