A Kirkcudbright nursery is to launch a petition calling for a pedestrian crossing outside its premises.
Johnston Nursery is seeking public support for the move in the interests of child safety.
Staff say crossing St Mary’s Street with 10 or 12 wee ones, prams and buggies is “very difficult”.
Child care practitioner Keira Firth is organising the petition which will go live in the near future.
The nursery also plans to lobby local councillors Andy McFarlane, Dougie Campbell and John Denerley.
Keira, 19, told the News: “I’m always the one who is at the front and waits for the traffic.
“Even if there’s a car coming far away you can’t go because the kids have wee legs and it takes time.
“Trying to cross the street with 10 two-year-olds and four prams can be very difficult.
“We are often left waiting for cars to stop for about five minutes even if it’s chucking it down.
“Children are very clumsy and often drop hats and shoes can fall off. They hold hands, practitioners’ hands and buggies and wear high vi jackets.
“Yet cars will continue to drive past even when we have not finished crossing.
“Sometimes they are obviously doing a lot more than 30mph.”
Keira said routes for all the kids’ outings are planned in advance and fully risk assessed.
But despite precautions, timings and enjoyment are disrupted by inconsiderate drivers.
She said: “With that number of toddlers you can imagine how very difficult it is.
“Some drivers have no consideration and staff feel a pedestrian crossing would make it much safer.
“Everybody we have talked to in Kirkcudbright, not just parents, feels the same.
“We phoned the council in November but they said it’s too expensive.”
Keira pointed out that the Johnston Centre – formerly Johnston Primary School – also hosts a gin distillery, the Dark Skies Centre and a pottery, while regular events in the community rooms and after school groups, including within the nursery, have all boosted footfall.
She said: “We are going to start a petition and hopefully get funding with each signature.
“Everybody in Kirkcudbright loves the nursery and would like to get involved.
“We’ll also be contacting our three local councillors to seek their support.
“The petition will be launched online and in person over the next few weeks.
“A lot of people like to sign a sheet of paper while those who prefer online can do so.”
Keira added: “It is very upsetting that cars have no care of the children.
“It’s a very busy street with bus stops on either side.
“There’s a lot of elderly people trying to cross the road as well.”
Johnston Nursery manager Hollie Mitchell said: “Children at Johnston Nursery enjoy being out in the community on a daily basis.
“We have noticed a significant increase in traffic on St Mary’s Street since we opened in 2020.
The council was asked to comment.
