A recent North Lanarkshire Council meeting saw a motion on school transport from the SNP group pass unopposed. The motion, which calls for the establishment of a member/officer working group to review and update the criteria used in assessing school transport provision, aims to ensure safe walking routes to school. This marks a significant victory for advocates of safe school transport.
The passing of the motion provides an opportunity to revise the criteria before any changes are implemented to primary school provision next year. It will also mean that future applications for secondary school transport provisions will be assessed based on the new criteria established by the working group.
SNP Group Leader Tracy Carragher expressed relief that the Labour administration did not oppose the motion, acknowledging the importance of the issue. Carragher highlighted concerns raised by councillors from all parties regarding the safety of walking routes and emphasised the need to take action to guarantee safe routes for students.
Council leader Jim Logue described Carragher’s comments as “very measured” and withdrew an amendment he had intended to submit. Consequently, the motion was carried without the need for debate or a vote. A Member/Officer Working Group will now be established to review the Scottish Government criteria related to standard road safety issues concerning school transport provision.
Last month, concerned parents staged a protest outside the council’s headquarters in response to changes affecting free school transport eligibility. The council’s decision to revise qualifying distances for free school transport is set to impact over 400 children at schools in Wishaw and Motherwell. The move aims to save £3.6 million, with changes affecting primary and secondary school pupils.
In light of these developments, the council’s commitment to reviewing and updating school transport criteria reflects a step towards ensuring the safety and accessibility of school transport for all students in North Lanarkshire. This motion signifies a cooperative effort to prioritize the well-being of students and address concerns regarding safe travel to and from school.