New proposals from East Ayrshire Council could see streets close to schools shut to traffic during start and finish times.

The ‘School Street’ initiative is being suggested for trial at five locations in the area, with roads around Catrine Primary, Auchinleck Primary and ECC, St Sophia’s Primary in Galston, Crosshouse Primary and ECC, and Nether Robertland Primary in Stewarton that could be affected.

At Catrine Primary, a temporary school time closure of Fourfields and possible further access restrictions on James Taylor Avenue and John Street has been suggested.

The proposals for road closures at Auchinleck Primary and ECC include temporary school time closure of Fourfields and possible further access restrictions on James Taylor Avenue and John Street.

A council spokesperson said: “A School Street is a road which is closed to all vehicular traffic at school start and finish times.

“The restriction would not apply to permit holders or blue badge holders, and residents of the street would be contacted directly and issued with free permits as the schemes are developed.”

The locations that have been selected for the potential trials are those where there have been reports of “issues between vehicles and pedestrians or vehicles and residents, as well as problems with significant congestion leading to unsafe manoeuvres at school times.”

Funding for the project has come from the Spaces for People temporary infrastructure programme, a collaboration between the Scottish Government and Sustrans Scotland, who will review the council’s proposals and assess their suitability before beginning on design work.

If they are deemed suitable for the trial, it’s hoped that the temporary School Streets would be in place as near as possible to the planned reopening of schools.