A LOCAL dad has hit out at the ongoing construction works next to the school his children attend.

The dad, who wishes to remain anonymous, spoke about the issue at Glencairn Primary School in Stevenston, and says that it could take someone being injured or worse before the message gets across and he even had his car damaged by one of the construction lorries.

He told the Herald: “I think the lorry drivers are not taking the fact that they are using a school car park as their entrance to the site, they are ignoring the guidelines as they just want in and out asap as they would on a normal site,

“I personally think it is a combination of Ashleigh Construction and North Ayrshire Council who has planned the whole thing without properly thinking about the impact it would have on the pupils, parents and also the staff of the school.

“I think that the worst that could happen is a child could be knocked down and killed by either one of the lorries or even another parent as it is chaotic with traffic due to nowhere for parents to park in order to drop children off.

“The car park across from the school is full at all times and the traffic jams go from the school right back in either direction with parents and council vans leaving the depot down the road as well as the people going to work.”

The £5million works are bringing housing to the local area and the school have issued letters to parents advising them of safety measures but North Ayrshire Council insist that everything is being done to ensure safety is paramount.

A spokesperson said: “The safety of our pupils is paramount at all times and we have been working with the contractor at every stage of the works to ensure the wellbeing of our pupils.

“The Headteacher informed parents and carers in advance, by letter, about the planned works and the potential impact on parking and traffic. Pupils were also given a site safety talk.

“The contractor held public meetings within the school prior to the building works commencing and provided a ‘Meet the Builder’ session for all pupils as well as holding various meetings with school and council staff.

“The carpark that the lorries enter is not a public carpark – it is for staff and deliveries only.”

The dad added: “I think that the council should be stepping in here and supporting the efforts that are being made by the school as all the parents are putting pressure on them even though it is out of their control, I have spoken to several parents today who are very angry with what is happening and they are now saying that they will be dropping their kids off later than nine, when the traffic calms down and picking them up earlier again to avoid the chaos, this is going to have a knock on effect with kids learning as well as disruption to classes as children leaving early or arriving late.

“Surely the council must take the children’s education and safety as the main priority over a build that could have been started at the start of the summer holidays which would have allowed for the busiest part with regards to heavy machinery coming and going as regular as it is at the moment.”

North Ayrshire Council insisted that everything in their power is being done to ensure there are no issues and a spokesperson added: “The gates to this (staff and deliveries) carpark have been shut during school pick-up and drop-off times, following a request by the Glencairn Primary Partnership. To assist parents and carers, a drop-off area has been created at the front of the school and this is being monitored. The contractor has also enforced entry and exit times for site traffic following a minor incident involving two vehicles.

“As New Street has always been a busy road we were very aware that these works might impact on traffic and parking. That is why we have kept parents and pupils updated at each stage of the works.

“A letter was sent to all parents and carers prior to the works starting, giving information about the planned works and the potential impact on parking and traffic. A further letter was issued when the works began to remind parents that entering the car park was not allowed and that children should be supervised while in the car park.

“A text was also sent to notify parents and carers of the closure.”