Safety review of school bus plan is urged

EDUCATION chiefs are being urged to consult with parents over safety issues arising from plans to cut free bus travel to school for hundreds of pupils.

Colinton and Fairmilehead councillor Jason Rust is putting forward a motion to this week's full council meeting asking education bosses to carry out a full safety review.

It comes after a decision was taken as part of this year's budget process to offer free travel only to those children living three miles or more away from their catchment school, not two miles as it currently stands.

Cllr Rust said: "Parents are rightly angry that their children will no longer be entitled to free bus travel to school.

"It seems strange that in making cutbacks the council focus on some miniscule savings, while wasting money elsewhere.

"The lack of consultation was disgraceful and we are seeking a fully safety review.

"A number of parents have contacted me to advise that they will now have to drive their child to school and this is not an example we should be setting."