MORE schools which could benefit from traffic bans on surrounding streets during peak times have been identified.

A review of schools across the county has revealed which ones could be next to be considered for the traffic regulation orders, known as School Street TROs, currently in place in Haddington and Dunbar.

East Lothian Council became the first local authority to introduce School Street TROs after piloting the bans, which stop traffic from using the roads outside school entrances at Haddington Infant, Kings Meadow and St Mary’s RC Primary schools, in Haddington.

This pilot scheme was made permanent last year after proving successful and a further pilot is now being trialled at Dunbar Primary School’s John Muir campus.

Council officials have now rated each of the schools in the county to see if they could also be considered for School Street TROs and they have drawn up guidelines telling them how they can apply.

Out of the 38 remaining schools on the list, 18 were deemed unsuitable because the road which passed the entrance was a through road, while 16 were branded possible, with four schools given a priority branding of “probable”.

Alan Stubbs, road services manager for East Lothian Council, stressed that the review was only the first step and further investigations needed to be carried out before any further action would be taken.

However, council leader Councillor Willie Innes expects officials to push forward with introducing the new School Street TROs at those schools identified as probable: Cockenzie Primary School, East Linton Primary School, Pencaitland Primary School, and Burgh Primary School, Musselburgh.

Approving the new School Streets TROs policy at a meeting of the local authority cabinet this week, committee member Councillor Norman Hampshire said the scheme would be welcomed by parents.

He said: “All our communities will be delighted that we have brought this to this stage, anything which can improve children;’s safety will be welcome.”

Primary schools which were considered as possible future candidates for School Street TROs were: Campie and Stoneyhill, Musselburgh; Windygoul and Sanderson’s Wynd, Tranent; Gullane; Wallyford; Longniddry; Ormiston; St Gabriels RC, Prestonpans; West Barns; Whitecraig; Humbie; Innerwick; Aberlady; Dirleton; and Yester.

Primary schools deemed unsuitable were: Law, North Berwick; Loretto RC and Pinkie St Peters, Musselburgh; St Martin’s RC, Tranent; Prestonpans Infant and Prestonpans Primary; Dunbar (Lochend); Elphinstone; Macmerry; Athelstaneford; Stenton; and Saltoun.

None of the county’s six secondary schools were considered to be in a suitable location for such a traffic order.