Families have been left ‘feeling even worse’ after walking a supposed safe route to school. 

We previously reported that South Lanarkshire Council have put forward a proposal that will see free bus travel only available for pupils who live three miles from their catchment school -  changing from the current which sees free travel for pupils who live two miles away.

The move means that secondary students may have to walk up to six miles a day. 

Glasgow Times:

Families in the area took part in a protest where they walked a 'safe route'  put forward by SLC in 2015 – when the council first tried to implement the same changes. 

Shireen Moore, spokesperson for the Calderside Academy School Transport Group and parent of two affected pupils explained the group had to walk the 2015 route as they claim SLC have not yet given a new one. 

Shireen said: “We walked along a very busy and long road (B7012) which has two very unsafe junctions to cross and includes going through the underpass and up some steep and slippery stairs.

“The two junctions are particularly hazardous due to the speed and volume of traffic as well as traffic coming from multiple directions. In winter with the black school uniform on we are incredibly concerned that children could be knocked down.

“During the walk, there was also glass, litter, excrement, and more along the route and in the underpass. 

“The footpaths are all in extremely poor condition with several people tripping at times along the route and there are areas where lighting is poor.

“Having walked the potential routes, we feel even worse.”

Shireen said some parents who have health problems are increasingly concerned about how they will get their children to school, deeming the proposal ‘impossible.’

She said: “We have been contacted by parents with fibromyalgia, asthma and other health issues who simply won’t be able to accompany their children to school.

“This is impossible to do on a daily basis.” 

Glasgow Times:

Shireen said families are beginning to feel powerless. 

She said: “We feel even worse as we simply cannot see how on Earth pupils and parents will get their children to school safely day after day.

“These cuts will have an appalling negative impact on the children across SLC if their transport is removed.

“We know that SLC have many difficult decisions to make but no amount of potential savings should cloud good judgement and common sense. 

“Our children’s safety is paramount.”

Glasgow Times:

For more information on the Calderside Academy School Transport Group, click HERE

Carole McKenzie, executive director of education, said: "There has never been a commitment from the council to provide individual parents/carers with information specific to them during the consultation period. We are confident however that this does not prevent anyone who wants to comment on the proposals from doing so.

"In fact, we have received thousands of responses to date from parents/carers despite them not having confirmation of distance measurements or an assessment of any road safety concerns raised by them."

The council also confirmed that the proposed implementation will not take effect until late 2025 and the consultation will remain open until March 15.