Wishaw’s MSP has increased pressure on local councillors ahead of a crunch meeting on school transport later this week.
The SNP Group will bring a motion on school transport to the full council meeting this Thursday and it will see councillors vote on this critical issue.
Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said that proposed safe alternative walking routes identified by the council present clear safety risks for pupils and brought the issue to First Minister’s Questions.
Ms Adamson said: “Over 400 children at schools in Motherwell and Wishaw no longer qualify for local authority transport.
“Parents, carers, and pupils across North Lanarkshire have tried to appeal to the Labour council after they cut school transport provision. They have been campaigning hard against this decision but it has fallen on deaf ears.
“The SNP group has been fighting against these cuts from the beginning. The review they are proposing would allow more thorough evaluation before any changes are made to primary school provision next year.
“There is still time for the Labour administration to do the right thing and reverse these damaging changes to show that child safety is a priority.
“I am urging my constituents in Motherwell and Wishaw, and any family impacted by this issue, to get in contact with your councillor and make your views known before this Thursday’s full council meeting.”
Last month, concerned parents staged another protest outside the council’s headquarters in Motherwell.
High school pupils have already seen their right to free transport affected by a change to qualifying distances and the local authority is currently assessing safe walking routes to school for primary school-aged children, with any changes set to come into effect for the younger children next year.
In a bid to save £3.6 million, North Lanarkshire Council agreed to change qualifying mileage limits for free school transport from one mile to two miles for primary school pupils, and two to three miles for secondary school pupils.
With the new parameters, over 400 children at schools in Wishaw and Motherwell no longer qualify.
Last month, a council spokesperson said: “At the budget meeting (2023-24), the council agreed to change the existing qualifying mileage limits for free mainstream school transport to save £3.6million against a backdrop of having to save £65 million over the next three years.
“This means the qualifying distance criteria for pupils requiring home-to-school transport changed in August 2024 for secondary schools and will change in August 2025 for primary schools, bringing the council in line with the majority of local authorities in Scotland who already have the same qualifying criteria in place.
“A comprehensive assessment programme of all secondary school walking routes has been carried out by independent infrastructure specialists. By law parents and carers have a legal duty to ensure their child gets to school safely.”
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