Calls to Reverse School Bus Cuts Gain Momentum Following Student Incident
An alarming incident involving a 12-year-old student and a bus near a North Lanarkshire high school has sparked renewed concerns among parents regarding the proposed cuts to council transport for primary students next year. The incident occurred in front of Chryston High School, where the student was hit by a bus on Thursday morning and subsequently rushed to the hospital. Fortunately, the student is reported to be “doing well,” but the incident has raised questions about the safety of students navigating increased traffic near school campuses.
Campaigners who have been vocal critics of the council’s revised school transport strategy were quick to highlight the risks associated with the reduction in transportation services. Marissa Cloughley, leader of the Save NLC School Buses Campaign, expressed her concerns, citing multiple near-miss incidents reported by parents at various school campuses.
“It’s truly concerning to hear about a child being struck at Chryston High School. There have been other close calls involving children and vehicles at different schools as well. The surge in traffic around schools could be a contributing factor to these incidents, especially for primary school children who may not be as familiar with road safety,” Cloughley remarked.
The council’s decision to limit eligibility for school transport to secondary students living more than three miles from school has forced more students to walk, take public transportation, or rely on cars to get to school. Parents argue that this has led to increased traffic congestion and has made the school run more hazardous for students.
Safety Concerns Ignored
Parents have been engaged in an ongoing battle with the council over the changes to the transportation policy, asserting that they were not adequately informed about the alterations before they were implemented. Furthermore, doubts have been raised about the validity of the council’s safety assessments, especially in light of recent incidents involving school-aged pedestrians along the designated walking routes.
Despite the challenges faced in reversing the secondary school transport changes, parents are adamant about preventing cuts to primary school transport or implementing additional safety measures to mitigate potential risks. To amplify their concerns, a group of parents, community members, and students gathered outside North Lanarkshire Council headquarters during a meeting of the Education, Children, and Families Committee.
Subheadings:
Concerns Over Transportation Policy Changes
Parental Advocacy for Safety Measures
Council Response and Police Investigation
The petition presented by the concerned group, which garnered 1,700 signatures, called for several key concessions related to the transportation policy changes. These included a temporary halt to the current school transport cuts pending a thorough review, a comprehensive reassessment of safe walking routes with input from stakeholders, and transparency in the decision-making process behind designating walking routes as safe.
Despite the petition not being debated at the committee meeting, the gathering was not devoid of controversy. During a discussion about children and young people within the justice system, Scottish Conservative councillor and depute provost Bob Burgess made disparaging remarks, referring to some young people as “feral” before retracting his comments.
Parental Concerns Echoed
Lesley Guidici, a member of the Chryston High School Parent Council, emphasized the significance of the conversation, highlighting the underlying concerns parents have regarding student safety in North Lanarkshire.
“I don’t know any feral or wild children, but it speaks volumes about how the Council views the children and young people in North Lanarkshire. Children are our future, and to ensure a positive future for them, we must prioritize their safety and well-being,” Guidici stated.
In response to Thursday’s incident involving the 12-year-old student, the council reiterated the importance of utilizing pedestrian crossings and emphasized the need for caution. However, parents like Diane Delaney criticized the council’s response, labeling it as “shameful” and pointing out the lack of adequate safety measures around Chryston High School.
Delaney highlighted the absence of traffic light crossings and crossing patrol personnel, underscoring the concerns raised by parents regarding the increased risk to children due to the surge in traffic. Parents had previously warned the council about the potential harm to children resulting from the reduction in school bus services.
Council’s Response and Police Investigation
A council spokesperson cautioned against drawing a direct connection between the recent incident and the transportation policy changes, emphasizing the importance of pedestrian safety and adherence to crossing protocols. Police Scotland confirmed that an investigation into the collision involving the bus and the student is ongoing, with the child receiving treatment at the Royal Hospital for Children.
The incident has reignited calls for a reassessment of the council’s transportation policy and the implementation of additional safety measures to protect students on their way to school. Parents remain steadfast in their advocacy for the well-being of children in North Lanarkshire, urging the council to prioritize safety and reconsider the proposed cuts to school transport services.