MSP reveals 34 school crossings in Edinburgh without lollipop patrols

Miles Briggs MSP says school children must not be discouraged from walking to school.

The FOI shows that there are circa 173 school crossing sites in the capital as of 6/11/2025 but only 140 ‘crossing patrol officers’.

This comes after it was revealed this summer that the number of crossing officers had fallen 18% over ten years.

Earlier in the year, the council agreed to scrap 17 crossing sites where an officer could not be recruited. The new information obtained by Miles Briggs MSP shows that, even so, 17 more sites will remain unmanned.

Police Scotland data shows that in 2024/25, there more than 100 recorded instances of ‘contravention of pedestrian crossing regulations’.

Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, said:

“While Edinburgh expands and roads become busier with Ubers and reckless E-bikes riders, the council and the Scottish Government are encouraging children to walk to school.

“Without a lollipop-lady, however, I would not be comfortable with my child crossing our increasingly dangerous roads – especially in the dark.

“The council suggests it can find £3bn for a tram extension, how about a few more quid towards our children’s safety?

“Walking to school is vital for building independence in our young ones and getting some fresh air and exercise before the school day begins, they must not be discouraged from doing so.

“I urge councillors to dedicate the requisite funds to recruiting lollipop men and women for all schools that want them.”

The crossings to be disestablished are:

1. Craigentinny - Craigentinny Rd/Loaning Rd (Pelican Crossing)
2. Craigroyston - Pennywell Rd/Muirhouse Ave (zebra)
3. Daniel Stewarts - Ravelston Terrace/Queensferry Terrace (At the traffic signals)
4. Flora Stevenson - Comely Bank Rd/Comely Bank Ave (At the traffic signals)
5. Gracemount - Lasswade Rd at Liberton Hospital (Pelican Crossing)
6. George Watsons - Colinton Rd/Ettrick Rd (Pelican Crossing)
7. James Gillespies - Whitehouse Loan/Warrender Park Rd (Road Closed)
8. Leith - Academy Street/Laurie Street (SFC planter restricting traffic)
9. Oxgangs – Colinton Mains Drive @ school rear (Pelican Crossing)
10. Roseburn – Roseburn Street/Roseburn Terrace (At the traffic signals)
11. Royal Mile – Holyrood Road/Dumbiedykes Road (Pelican Crossing)
12. St Catherines RC – Captains Road/Lasswade Road (At the traffic signals)
13. St Marys RC – East Hermitage Place/Links Gardens (At the traffic signals)
14. St Marys RC – Restalrig Road/Gladstone Place (At the traffic signals)
15. St Peters RC – Morningside Road/Falcon Avenue (Pelican Crossing)
16. South Morningside – Cluny Gardens/Braid Road (At the traffic signals)
17. Stockbridge – Brandon Street/Eyre Place (At the traffic signals)

The remaining unstaffed crossings will be:

1. Bruntsfield – Montpelier Park/Merchiston Place
2. Bruntsfield – Merchiston Avenue/Granville Terrace
3. Craiglockhart – Shandon Place ( Pelican crossing)
4. Daniel Stewarts – Queensferry Road at School (Pelican Crossing)
5. Daniel Stewarts - Queensferry Terrace at Blister point (Pelican Crossing)
6. Duddingston – Willowbrae Road/Duddingston Road (At the traffic signals)
7. East Craigs – Drumbrae North/Duart Crescent (Pelican Crossing)
8. George Watson – Colinton Road/Gillsland Road (Pelican Crossing)
9. Queensferry – Farquhar Terrace/Stewart Terrace (Pelican Crossing)
10. Roseburn – Murrayfield Avenue/Murrayfield Gardens
11. Royal High – Portobello Road/Northfield Broadway(Pelican Crossing)
12. St Ninans RC – Willowbrae Road/Portobello Road (Traffic signals)
13. Tollcross – West Tollcross/Ponton Street
14. Tollcross – Fountainbridge at School (Pelican crossing)
15. Towerbank – Bath Street (At traffic signals)
16. Trintiy – Craighall Road/Craighall Avenue (Road subject to temporary closure)
17. Victoria – Craighall Road/Starbank Road