Bus cutbacks have left kids with two-hour round-trip, claims dad
A CONCERNED dad has hit out at bus cutbacks, claiming his 11-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son have been left with a 58-minute walk to school each morning.
The two-hour return trek, laden with packed school bags, crosses highways where numerous road traffic accidents have occurred over the last few years.
But East Dunbartonshire Council route inspection officers have declared the daily marathon from the Gallagher family home in Wallace Drive, Bishopbriggs, to Turnbull High School "safe and acceptable."
Dad Paul Gallagher said: "It's not being flippant to say this is what kids in Africa have to do. If it was 15 or 20 minutes, I'd be pushing them out of the door myself.
"But 58 minutes on a wet and freezing December or January day? How many councillors do you think would be prepared to walk – or even drive – 58 minutes to their work each morning?"
Last week, the council refused to reinstate previously free school bus transport for secondary pupils – but did change the criteria for primary school children.
Children will receive free transport if they live more than a mile from primary school or three miles from secondary.
That's good news for families with young children, but bad news for families like the Gallaghers.
Paul's kids' route to school includes crossing busy Letham Drive, which is manned by crossing patrol officers.
But Kieran (14) and Roisin (11) arrive there a full 20 minutes before the officers begin work in the morning.
A spokesperson for the council said: "We are aware of Mr Gallagher's concerns and whilst the route has been assessed as being safe we will undertake a review in line with our appeal process. If this establishes any issues which need to be addressed then we will take appropriate action."
See this week's Herald for the full story.
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Weather for Kirkintilloch
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
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