Parents' fury as Cumbernauld school bus cuts force pupils on three-mile walk

A 12-year-old boy will be walking a three-mile route to school after North Lanarkshire Council cut bus services in the catchment area.

Nathan Ross is among the pupils who are now walking nearly three miles each way to Cumbernauld Academy.

His mum Emma has described the route as a “predator’s dream” and urged the council to reverse its decision.

Nathan described the walk as “steep, dark, with overgrown bushes” and the path as “all messed up”.

Emma told STV News: “When I first heard the news, I was disgusted. I was horrified. I couldn’t believe it.”

The route to the school had been deemed unsuitable in April, but parents were notified in June that after the summer holiday, pupils who live on the outskirts of the catchment area would be advised to make the journey on foot.

Emma said she learned the news on social media a week before the end of term.

“I never received anything directly telling me there had been any kind of change.

Nathan is beginning his first year at high school STV News

“I thought it was ludicrous – to put them in that kind of position at such a late stage before the school holidays was shocking.”

The statutory walking distances for school in the UK are generally two miles for children under the age of eight and three miles for older children.

Emma walked the route herself, which took 69 minutes and was just under three miles.

She said the route has heavily trafficked roads, secluded woodland with overgrown bushes and unmaintained pathways.

“It’s not somewhere you’d feel safe sending your child,” she said.

“To expect any child to walk that distance, twice a day, five days a week, in all weathers – through winter when it’s dark – is too much. He’d need to leave at 7.30am, and it would still be dark at that time to get to school on time.

“Then he’d have to do a full day of studying, concentrate for long hours, take part in after-school activities, and do homework. He’ll be exhausted.

“It would worry any parent.”

Nathan is one of 183 pupils affected by the cancellation of three school bus links.

Emma warned that cancelling bus services will ultimately lead to more car journeys.

“Parents won’t accept this walking route, so there will be more congestion and pollution – something both government and councils claim they’re trying to avoid for environmental reasons. This does the opposite.

“There’s a duty of care towards children. They say they want the best – so why not help them get to and from high school safely?”

She added: “If they assessed the path themselves, they wouldn’t deem it suitable. If they had children, there’s no way they’d have them walk this distance. It’s a health hazard.”

Other parents in the area have shared concerns about the “unsafe” walking routes to school since bus routes have been scrapped.

Sarah Shaw lodged a complaint after her son’s route was cancelled last year.

“There are massive gaps in correspondence. Months and months go by,” she said.

She said the suggested walking route had 16 different road crossings, potholes and leads through a nature conservation.

“The road surface won’t be cleared or gritted in wintertime to protect wildlife in the area – I can’t see how the council can say that’s a safe walking route.

“The Scottish Government puts importance on raising attainment, attendance, and children being ready to learn.

“I don’t know how anyone can assume, after walking for over an hour on such a challenging route, that children can be ready to learn when getting to school in the morning.”

Chanelle Danielle Davis is a member of the parent-teacher council, and her daughter is in her second year.

“School transport provisions are at the top of our agenda. It has a direct impact on pupil lateness and attendance, and the attainment rate.

“It’s a deep concern for us as parents.”

Keir Thomas said his daughter had faced “absolute trauma.”

“There are challenges with regard to my daughter’s anxiety, which have manifested throughout the summer period,” he said.

“It’s caused real harm and distress to her over the last few months, particularly with the school bus removed for this year.”

The statutory walking distances for school in the UK are two miles for children under the age of eight and three miles for older children.

Jamie Hepburn MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth said he is “very frustrated” that the bus routes have not been reinstated in light of parents’ complaints.

“I live in this area; I know it well. However, as a safe walking route, it leaves something to be desired.

“Despite many concerns from parents, North Lanarkshire Council has pushed ahead with plans to get rid of school buses.

“The routes they’ve approved by any reasonable estimation do not fall into the category of being safe.

“I think councillors should go back to the drawing board and think again. It compromises the safety of young people in the area.”

Councillor Alan Masterton claimed the SNP group within the council had identified around £8m of an underspend from the previous financial year, which could be used to fund the bus routes.

“Unfortunately, the council administration was not willing to go down that route or even consider it.

“The administration seemed very intent on pushing these changes through.”

He added: “These walking routes are in very isolated, remote parts of Cumbernauld and in a lot of cases are very overgrown.

“I don’t think parents have been fairly treated. Parents don’t understand why this has happened.

“There are always ways to find a safer situation. It’s not acceptable for young pupils.”

A council spokesperson said while the path was initially deemed unsafe, the council agreed to reverse its decision in November 2024.

They explained the process for determining safe school routes is carried out by an independent specialist and is determined by a range of factors regarding infrastructure.

“Some parents and carers of pupils in the Cumbernauld area had previously received information indicating that no acceptable walking route had been identified at that time”, the spokesperson said.

“However, this position had now changed, due to a range of factors. Pupils who are currently eligible for school transport because the walking route was unacceptable, will no longer be entitled from August 2025.

“We understand that this means that some parents/carers will be disappointed, but the policy change to school transport qualification distances means that North Lanarkshire Council is now in line with the majority of local authorities in Scotland.”