A PARENT has raised safety concerns after a 12-year-old boy was hit with a car near a Bishopbriggs school.

In a recent letter to parents of children at Thomas Muir Primary School, the police and council revealed the accident, which took place last month, involved a pupil.

The boy was taken to hospital after being struck by a vehicle on Wester Cleddens Road. It is believed no criminality was found. 

A concerned parent has since been in touch with the Glasgow Times to encourage East Dunbartonshire Council to take action regarding "selfish" people parking in and around the school, as well as two others nearby - St Helen's Primary and Bishopbriggs Academy.

The parent, who asked not to be named, said: “The council has been warned about the risk to children caused by selfish parents parking in and around the schools in Bishopbriggs.

“Is it going to take a child to be killed for action?

READ MORE: Parking crash chaos near East Dunbartonshire school sparks safety warning

“The council should follow other local authorities in restricting access to cars near the schools in Bishopbriggs...before it’s too late.” 

We previously reported residents living close to St Helen's primary were warning children’s lives are at risk due to parking chaos at their housing estate.

However, the council has stated plans to develop additional parking or dropping off facilities at the schools will not be taken further.

Gerry Cornes, chief executive of the council, said: "We have recently met with residents, parents and teachers, listening to their concerns and considering a range of options aimed at making the areas around our schools safer for everyone.

"It is not council policy to encourage driving as the preferred means to get to school, so we will not be progressing plans to develop additional parking or dropping off facilities.

"Instead, action will be focused on encouraging active and safe travel to school. We have iBike officers who work within our schools and we plan to identify safe and accessible walking and cycling connections.

"Furthermore, our Community Wardens are working closely with Police Scotland
to ensure the roads around our schools during drop off and pick up time are
safe and all drivers comply with restrictions."

READ MORE: Parking chaos at Bishopbriggs school near Glasgow sparks safety warning

The resident who spoke out last year said: "It is only a matter of time that a child will be hit by reckless drivers using the road as a school car park."

In December, a van crashed into a double-parked car “as it waited to collect children”.

In the recent letter, the council and police said: "Officers have spoken to residents and drivers and considered a range of options aimed at making the areas around the schools safer for everyone, especially children.

"This really does require the commitment and buy-in of everyone and as such we are writing to encourage pupils, parents and guardians to travel to school by more active means."