A determined Bargeddie mum is calling on parents of high school children to voice their opinions at a public meeting being held in North Lanarkshire as the campaign to reinstate free school transport continues
Marissa Cloughley has been campaigning relentlessly against the changes that have affected her own children and thousands of others, and will be the parent representative on the panel of the meeting called by Gillian Mackay MSP.
The Green MSP, who is based in Motherwell, has also been at the forefront of a campaign with parent groups and teachers.
The local authority recently U-turned on a decision to change the qualifying distance for primary school pupils but parents continue to push for the same outcome for high school pupils.
Marissa is mum to two school-aged children, Lucy 13, and Harry, 11.
Lucy’s “safe walking route” to St Ambrose High in Coatbridge includes a stretch along the Monkland Canal, and dense woodland.
Marissa said: “I will be sitting on the panel as the parent representative.
“I believe this is a positive step forward and will help maintain the momentum in our campaign to save school buses.
“Gillian Mackay MSP and her party have been incredibly supportive, even taking our fight to parliament, where it was debated.
“The council’s U-turn on cutting primary school buses was a very welcome development, largely due to the unwavering determination of parents who refused to accept these cuts.
“However, many secondary school children are still struggling to get to and from school, particularly during the recent bad weather.
“The council’s ‘acceptable’ walking routes are far from adequate, and we are determined to continue putting pressure on the council to review these routes.
“A working group has been established by the SNP group within North Lanarkshire Council, comprising of cross-party councillors who are discussing these routes and the criteria used to deem them acceptable.
“I hope the public meeting will draw a large number of attendees and foster a positive and productive discussion that leads to a solution for this ongoing issue.”
Gillian Mackay MSP said: “Parents have been at the forefront of the campaign and it’s only right that they’re given their chance to voice the obvious concerns. North Lanarkshire Council eventually showed a willingness to change course on the cuts to free primary school transport and it shows that this isn’t primarily about budgets but instead political will.
“We will have a representative from North Lanarkshire Council, one from the Scottish Government, a parent representative and myself on the panel at the meeting, so it’s a great chance for people affected to come along and make their points known. I would implore everyone connected to this issue to come and say their piece.
“As already demonstrated through the primary school pupils, it is through the power of persuasion that we will force the Council’s hand.
“I have been inundated with examples of pupils being forced to walk clearly unsafe routes to school and back, in some cases for hours at a time. If we want to ensure children make it back and forth from school and do so safely, there is no other choice than to reverse these cuts.”
The meeting will take place at St Bride’s Hall, Coursington Road, Motherwell on January 29 at 6.30pm.
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