CHILDREN at primaries threatened with closure could be at "significant risk" on the walk to their new schools, according to the city's senior health and safety adviser.
In a report which assessed the new routes children would have to take if their schools close, three were deemed to pose a risk to children walking on their own.
Parents with children at the closure-threatened schools today warned that if pupils we
re unable to travel to their new schools alone – as a lot of them currently do – it could have a serious knock-on effect on families.
One of the routes assessed by the council's senior health and safety adviser, Graham Anderson, as posing a "significant risk" to children walking without an adult is from Ardshiel Avenue to Clermiston Primary – which would affect pupils from the under-threat Drumbrae Primary.
Eric Jackson, chair of Drumbrae Primary's parent council, said: "It's very upsetting that the council are willing to put children at risk, and it is a significant risk according to the council's own admissions.
"At the moment, the majority of children that go to Drumbrae go to school on their own or with friends because it's a safe distance and safe route.
"This will mean that parents will be forced to drive their children to school.
"At Clermiston Primary it's dreadful in the morning with the number of cars so it will be even worse with the extra influx.
"Some parents would probably have to change their working patterns just to be able to take their kids to school."
As well as Drumbrae, the council is proposing to close Fort, Burdiehouse and Royston primary schools next summer.
The risk assessment has also flagged up problems for children travelling from Burdiehouse to Gilmerton Primary, a proposed receiving school.
Mr Anderson described it as "problematic", adding that it would be necessary to "consider additional measures to minimise any risks" when crossing Lasswade Road.
Another route, which would impact on Royston pupils travelling from Saltire Street to Granton Primary, was described as posing "significant risk" to unaccompanied children, especially at Waterfront Avenue.
Grant Cunningham, chair of Royston Primary's parent council, said: "We tried to highlight this at the public meetings and we were told we were being unrealistic.
"The council's own report is now even contradicting what they say.
"Most people won't be keen on their kids walking to school on their own. In life, everything has risks, but when it comes to kids you try not to put risks in their way."
City education leader Marilyne MacLaren said: "There will always be busy roads to cross in Edinburgh but we work very successfully with pupils, schools and parents to make the school journey as safe as possible.
"If these proposals go ahead, we will ensure that the crossings flagged up are made as safe as possible, with both Drumbrae Drive and Lasswade Road getting new pedestrian crossings."
'There is no way I'd let my son walk this route alone'ERIC and Catherine Jackson walked one of the routes identified as being a "significant risk" to unaccompanied children with their seven-year-old son, Iain.
Iain is in P4 at Drumbrae and it currently takes him five minutes to walk to school.
The route for Drumbrae pupils travelling to Clermiston Primary starts on Ardshiel Avenue and took the family 30 minutes to walk.
The family reported a relatively straightforward walk until they got to Drumbrae Drive, which they described as very busy yesterday morning.
They crossed at a traffic island, which was highlighted by police as a potential danger given that it is close to a bus stop and motorists overtake buses.
Mr Jackson said Iain was "very unsure" about crossing such a busy road.
The council is proposing to put a pedestrian crossing on Drumbrae Drive, but Mr Jackson believes children won't use it as they would have to travel further down the road to get to it rather than taking the direct route across the road.
The family also raised concerns about children cutting through Clermiston Park – which the council also anticipates will happen.
Mr Jackson said: "It's unlit, there are lots of trees and bushes, so it's a safety issue, especially with the dark nights.
He added: "There is no way I would let my son walk this route on his own."
