PARENTS and carers living in the Heugh area of Tranent “may need to consider alternative routes to school” for children following a year-long footpath closure on Church Street.

The footpath on the western side of Church Street is closed until October next year to facilitate works to build 28 homes at the site of the former Fa’side Lodge care home.

However, some concerns have been raised by residents that the closure is now forcing young children to cross the busy road on their way to school, with vision difficult due to the works.

Lorraine Wright, lives in the Heugh area and said her 10-year-old daughter Harper-Rose was scared to cross the busy road in the morning on her way to St Martin’s RC Primary School on High Street.

East Lothian Courier: Lorraine Wright said her 10-year-old daughter, Harper-Rose, was scared to cross the road at Church StreetLorraine Wright said her 10-year-old daughter, Harper-Rose, was scared to cross the road at Church Street

She told the Courier: “My daughter turned back and came back home on her way to school the other day as she was too frightened to attempt to cross.

“You can’t see the cars coming up Church Street as there is a bend on that part of the road; cars often accelerate to clear that bit of road, which is dangerous.

“No safety barrier has been put up and I know a lot of elderly people and wheelchair users are struggling with the crossing. I heard that one woman was stuck trying to get across the road.

“There is a path on the other side but it is often blocked with cars too.

“It is a busy and very dangerous non-negotiable road for children to cross.

“I asked the site manager if safety barriers would be put up and he told me no.

“Something has to be done.”

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said that schools and parent councils were being contacted about the issue following a number of complaints.

The spokesperson said: “A section of footway on the western side of Church Street is temporarily closed to allow for safe access of vehicles to the adjacent housing development.

“Following concerns expressed regarding safety of children living in the Heugh area of the town crossing Church Street for school, a further site visit was carried out.

“It was agreed that additional school signs would be erected advising drivers and roads officers would be contacting schools and parent councils on this matter stressing that the footway will be closed for at least a year.

“During this period, parents and carers may need to consider alternative routes to school that are less direct.”

Mike Falconer, chair of Tranent and Elphinstone Community Council, said: “I understand there have been a few concerns raised and that is something we will look at if people continue to have issues.

“However, given the nature of the work, and the heavy machinery involved, I know it is necessary that the footpath is closed and I know it is going to be closed for a while.

“We’ll be keeping a close eye on it and ensuring it doesn’t go on any longer then necessary.”