CARDBOARD cut-outs of children, police and lollipop people are being placed on the roadside outside schools as a gentle reminder to drivers to obey double-yellow lines and no-parking zones.

Schools including Cockenzie Primary School, St Mary’s Primary School in Haddington, and Yester Primary School in Gifford have all witnessed the benefits of these cut-outs in promoting road safety.

The project is part of a wider movement to get young pupils involved in understanding and improving road safety in their area, encouraging schools to elect pupils from primaries five, six and seven to become junior road safety officers (JRSO).

Sean Stitt, principal teacher at Cockenzie Primary School, said: “I think that parking in the no-park area in front of schools is a common problem that a lot of schools are dealing with.

“We find these cut-outs effective and would consider asking for them permanently to help with this issue.”

One of Cockenzie Primary School’s young JRSOs added: “The no-parking signs were a big success but we are definitely planning to run another campaign very soon.”

Although it is too early to tell exactly what impact the project has had, the response from parents and local councillors has been very positive.

Councillor Neil Gilbert, Preston, Seton and Gosford ward, said: “They [the cut-outs] have apparently been very successful in persuading drivers to consider where they park and keeping those areas marked as no-parking zones clear of traffic, even for dropping off.

“I have already received feedback from parents with children at other schools requesting them for their schools too.”