New MP Angela makes school bus cuts a top priority

This dramatic claim has been made as the controversial proposal became the first big issue being tackled by the new MP for much of Clydesdale, the SNP’s Angela Crawley.

As reported in the Gazette, South Lanarkshire Council, faced with making major savings, is planning to cut the entitlement for free transport for secondary school children from those living within a two mile radius of their school to three miles.

The council has put the plan out to consultation, a process that ended on Wednesday, and many parents in our rural area have complained bitterly about the proposal, claiming it will endanger their children who will have to walk to school on narrow, unllit country roads, many without pavements.

The council has stated that youngsters’ safety will be its main priority, the cut only being imposed in areas with a “safe walking route” to and from the nearest school.

However, this assurance has not stopped worried parents protesting, one, Julia Marrs of Kirkfieldbank, starting a petition against the cuts which curreently has almost 1700 signatures.

She has now won full backing from the newly-elected Angela Crawley MP MP, along with her SNP colleague in the Scottish Parliament, Aileen Campbell and Lanark area SNP councillor Vivienne Shaw.

Said Miss Crawley:”I believe South Lanarkshire Council needs to properly look and reflect on the impact these proposals will have on our more rural areas before imposing these new plans in a blanket manner. Julia’s petition shows the strength of feeling that exists amongst parents and I want to do my best to lend support to their concerns.”