PLANS to ban drivers from Countess Crescent at key times in the school day – in a scheme similar to one already introduced in Haddington – have been put out to public consultation.

East Lothian Council wants to introduce restrictions to the times vehicles are allowed along the street, which is beside the John Muir Campus of Dunbar Primary School.

In a scheme similar to one already being trialled in Haddington, only residents of the Crescent would be able to use the street during school drop-off and pick-up times.

The proposed bans would be between 8.30am and 9.30am, and 3pm and 4pm Mondays to Thursday, and between 8.30am and 9.30am, and 11.45am and 12.45pm on Fridays during term times.

In a statement explaining the reason behind the changes, the council said: “The purpose of the Traffic Regulation Order is to prohibit vehicle access to Countess Crescent, Dunbar, during school travel times due to road safety concerns.” The closure would not include permit holders, residents or Blue Badge holders.

A similar scheme has been operating on three streets in Haddington since January.

However, it has not been without its issues, with some parents still flouting the ban, and reports of some even going as far as to create fake permits for their cars.

Community wardens and police officers still regularly monitor the roads.

Dunbar councillor Michael Veitch, cabinet spokesperson for transport and roads, said the entrance to Countess Crescent, via Countess Road, had been closed in the past during the construction of the community centre, and many residents were already used to it being shut.

He said a site visit to the school, which had included the headteacher, local police inspector and the chairperson of the parent council, had shown the very large number of children who went to school through Countess Crescent.

He said: “The safety of the many young children walking to school this way is absolutely paramount, which is why it was so important that we moved fast on this.

“During the vast majority of the day, plus weekends and holidays, the road can be safely opened up, which I hope will take some pressure off Countess Avenue, which currently acts as the sole link from this area onto Countess Road.”