Lanarkshire MSP disappointed over council refusal to walk school bus route

A North Lanarkshire MSP says he is disappointed at the local authority's decision to reject his offer to walk one of the school bus routes which have been dropped.

Secondary pupils living up to three miles away from class have to make their own way to class and don't qualify for a bus.

Unsafe conditions

Jamie Hepburn represents Cumbernauld and Kilsyth and told Clyde 1: "Some of these routes being axed are remote, quite secluded and there are concerns about safety.

"They often go up very steep inclines and on an icy day could pose a real danger."

Currently any child attending high school who lives more than two miles away qualifies for free transport.

The local authority says the decision will be in line with the majority of other councils across Scotland.

U-turns

Last year, it reversed a decision to increase the qualifying distance for primary school pupils to two miles after an outcry from parents.

Jamie added: "My SNP councillor colleagues have identified an £8m underspend by North Lanarkshire Council this year and just over £2m of this could have been used to maintain school bus provison.

"Public finances are under strain and that is true for the Scottish Government, but we are looking ahead to setting a budget for the coming year providing a record settlement for local authorities."

Walking group

A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said, “Mr Hepburn will be aware that following a request by local elected members, a member/officer working group was established, comprising councillors and senior council staff, with the remit to review and update the Council's criteria for acceptable school walking routes.

"This review includes taking into account factors relative to the nature of the route and ensuring that child safety is a priority.

“This review is still underway, and it would be practical to await the outcomes before carrying out further informal walking assessments on individual routes, unless previously agreed.

"A report outlining the results of the review, including any proposed amendments to the criteria, will be submitted to a future meeting of the Council.”

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.