Death of Scots schoolboy struck by bin lorry sparks Edinburgh council road safety pledge

The death of schoolboy Thomas Wong has sparked new safety measures to prevent another tragedy.

Thomas, 11, was struck by a bin lorry as he cycled to school last month.

His death left friends and parents at Cramond Primary in Edinburgh devastated. Now, councillors have outlined changes in the roads surrounding the school.

Thomas was struck in Whitehouse Road in Barnton after the bin lorry exited the car park of the Royal Burgess Golf Club on to the main road.

City of Edinburgh councillors vowed to do everything possible to prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

Lib Dem councillor Kevin Lang said there are now plans to change the height of a hedge at the exit of the golf club to improve sightlines and improve signage on the road and poles.

Speed humps are to be installed while road officers are also looking at installing “tactile mats” at either side of the exit and making it a continuous footway to show pedestrians have right of way.

The golf club will also arrange waste collections and other HGV operations to avoid times when children are travelling to and from school.

Lang said a possible reduction in the speed limit on Whitehouse Road to 20mph was being looked at, while a reduction from 40mph to 30mph on nearby Queensferry Road will be implemented.

There could also be improved infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists on Whitehouse Road and at the nearby Barnton junction.

The parking layout at shops yards from the site of the tragedy could be revised to improve pedestrian access.

Changes in the wider area will include a “School Travel Plan” around Cramond Primary.

Lang said more than 100 locals had volunteered to be part of a Cramond and Barnton Safety Action Group he had established, which “underlined the determination among local people to see positive action being taken”.

He added: “The final group has a good cross-section from right across the local area and is looking at ideas on what further action could be taken to ensure the area is made safer”.

After his death, Thomas’s family described him as “the perfect son” and said they were “utterly heartbroken”.

In a statement after the tragedy, they said: “He was the best little brother to his older sister and was adored by all his family.

“Thomas went to Cramond Primary School, which he loved.

“He made good friends there. We will all miss him terribly.

“We are very grateful for all the sympathy and heartfelt messages we have received from people. Thank you.”

Cramond Primary head teacher Helen Donaldson said: “He was kind and always eager to support others, and will be greatly missed by all of us.”

The tragedy shocked the local community and hundreds of floral tributes and notes lined the pavement for days.

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