NEW plans have been unveiled to spend £150,000 improving pedestrian and cycling access to Inverclyde primary schools.

Measures being considered include a gateway sign designed by each school, which would then be submitted to Transport Scotland for approval.

Reducing road widths, 20mph speed limits, measures to reduce congestion at peak times and road safety education could also be implemented if councillors agree to give the go-ahead.

The £150,000 budget has been drawn up as part of a Safer Streets scheme and members of the environment and regeneration committee will now be asked to rubber-stamp the cash being spent on improving access.

A report by council officials said:  “As part of the 2019/20 budget setting process, £150,000 was allocated for a Safer Streets initiative.

“Officers reviewed key pedestrian generators within the local authority area and addressed barriers to changing travel behaviour when journeys are local and a mile or less in distance.

“The school run has been identified as an opportunity to develop initiatives that will encourage the use of active travel and raise awareness of all road users that they are in the vicinity of a school.”

The budget will be spent over a three-year period and officials will carry out a detailed study and consultation at all the primary schools.

The Telegraph recently reported on dangerous driving and parking outside two local schools, with the problem so bad at Newark Primary in Port Glasgow that police, pictured, had to be drafted in.

The council report adds: “The study will look at pedestrian/cycle links and also reducing the impact of vehicles surrounding the schools.”

The planned works will not include traffic calming measures, as these will still be considered separately as part of a traffic calming policy.

Members of the committee will meet on Thursday to decide on the proposal.