PARENTS and councillors are demanding a U-turn on plans to remove hundreds of school bus passes as they say walking routes are not fit for purpose.

As previously reported in the Evening Times, hundreds of children in Glasgow will have their bus passes removed later this year.

Youngsters at secondary school do not qualify for a free bus pass if they live less than three miles away from school - previously the threshold was 2.2 miles.

For primary children the distance is two miles, an increase of 0.8miles from the previous threshold.

The new plans are hoped to save the council around £600,000 and will be implemented at the start of the next school term on August 15.

Last week, dozens of parents joined SNP Councillors John Letford and Franny Scally to walk the route which they say does not comply with the council specifications.

Briefing notes given to elected members in May states the routes should be "of adequate usable walking width for the circumstances" and adds this is usually considered at least one metre wide.

However one section of the pavement, beside busy Maryhill Road and Sandbank Drive, is only 96cm wide.

Councillors Franny Scally and John Letford, who look after the Maryhill Ward, are now demanding that children who will have to use the route every day be given back their passes.

Councillor Letford said: "The route is clearly unfit for purpose, with one part only 96cm in width as opposed to the minimum requirement of one meter.

"Hundreds of cars also pass along Maryhill Road every day and pose a significant danger to the many young children who will be forced to walk up to 3 miles to school now their bus pass has been removed.

"I would now expect the Elected Member for Education, Councillor Curran to reassess the route as being unsafe, and that as a result, inform the Education Department to reinstate the free school transport of those affected."

The notes handed out in May also state assessments of the routes will be done with the assumption that a responsible adult will be accompanying children at all times.

As a result, personal safety or street lighting will not be factored in.

It states: "Personal safety issues are not addressed in the route to school assessment.

"In addition, the presence or absence of street lighting on a route is not deemed to be a factor."

Councillor Stephen Curran, Executive Member for Education and Young People said: “The changes to free school transport eligibility were agreed at the council’s budget meeting in February and is still below the statutory obligation.

“The saving will be used to retain the number of teachers in our schools.

“We have communicated with parents over these changes. Where there are no safe routes to school – regardless of the distance – free school transport will remain.”

hannah.rodger@eveningtimes.co.uk