Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie has called on Argyll and Bute Council to reverse their decision to halt school bus services for children living less than 2 miles after East Dunbartonshire reinstated their school bus services for primary school children.

Argyll and Bute Council have scrapped the free school bus service for any children living less than 2 miles away from their primary school. However this has left many children in primary schools across the authority having to walk on dangerous routes to school. Often, these children are passed on their way by half empty buses heading to the schools.

East Dunbartonshire Council had also scrapped school bus services for children living under 2 miles but they have recently reversed this decision after a campaign by parents.

Jackie, who has joined with parents in Argyll and Bute to campaign against the decision in the authority, has called on the Council to follow the example of East Dunbartonshire.

She said:

"The news that East Dunbartonshire has reinstated free school bus services for children living less than 1 mile from their primary schools should provide a catalyst for Argyll and Bute Council to act.

"The simple fact is that for many of the primary school children affected the walking route to school is less than safe. On one particular stretch of road the Council has refused to implement a school crossing patrol because it is too dangerous. Yet at the same time they are telling parents that they must walk their children to school on the same road. It is simply unacceptable.

"I have written to the Ombudsman and asked him to review this decision by Argyll and Bute but really the Council should reconsider their decision and follow the example of East Dunbartonshire Council by reinstating the 1 mile limit for free school transport bus service for children living under 2 miles."