A SCHOOLGIRL was almost knocked down by a speeding driver as she tried to cross a road in front of officials who had been called in to address safety concerns.

The girl, who was using crutches at the time, fell to the ground as she tried to get out of the way of the driver, who managed to avoid striking her.

The incident, on Inveresk Road, was witnessed by ward councillor Fraser McAllister, who was among the party inspecting the route when it happened.

He said: “The girl, who was from Musselburgh Grammar School, was on crutches but tried to speed up when she saw the car approaching and lost her footing.

“It was terrifying and happened during a meeting between East Lothian Council officials, myself and councillors, and the area manager.”

The meeting, which was held at the site last week, was held after residents raised concerns about the dangers caused by illegal parking, buses turning and pupils from the school using it as a shortcut to Tesco.

The stretch of Inveresk Road, which runs parallel with the superstore, has been at the centre of speeding complaints for a number of months.

At a meeting of Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council, area manager Stuart Baxter said buses were stopping to let passengers off closer to the store entrance, and blocking the view of motorists coming up the road and pedestrians trying to cross.

He said: “We have looked at ways to slow down traffic and are also speaking to the bus companies about buses not stopping at the bus stop.

“The bus stop was moved further down the road and it is likely the drivers are doing it on the request of passengers but it is not helpful.”

Councillor Stuart Currie, for Musselburgh East, said there was a need for signs to alert drivers to the road’s proximity to the school.

He said: “A stranger driving on that road would not know it is near the school. We may not want it to be a school route, but it has become one and we have to treat it as one.

“It needs signage put up.”