MAINTENANCE OF SAFE WALKING ROUTES TO SCHOOL

Speech regarding the motion passed on 10th December 2025

Speech in support of motion

Thanks Deputy Provost for allowing me to speak on, which many of us on these benches feel, is an important issue. I’d like to thank those interested parties for watching online.

This motion and my speech now are not to relitigate the mileage requirement for school transport. It is, however, to ensure that routes deemed by THIS council as safe, are in fact that.

I’d like to focus on an issue that has arisen in my own ward in relation to those having to walk from Sandford to Strathaven Academy.

This route has been deemed safe, but this assessment was undertaken during reasonable weather conditions. Those conditions are now gone and will be for some months.

Not long ago I was sent a video of this “safe route” after a period of heavy rain. The pathway was akin to a river. The water was flowing that fast that when it hit defects in the pavements, it looked like rapids. This is a route that we are expecting children as young as 11 to walk on. They wouldn’t just need waterproof clothing; they would need a boat. I am happy to share this video with any members at the close of this meeting.

Then at the first cold snap the pathway was full of black ice, resulting in numerous falls. This was unacceptable on its own, but is nothing compared to what happened with the road running next to the route. A car recently slid on black ice, turned 180 degrees and ended up in the opposite lane. Thankfully no other vehicle was travelling at this location at the time as the incident could have been much worse. Not only could those walking the route have suffered physical injuries, but they could be left suffering mental health issue at seeing a crash in close proximity.

This route receives no gritting or snow clearance as it’s not deemed a major arterial route, nor does it have public transport using it. I firmly believe that if this council are content to class these types of routes as safe, then we should be doing everything in our powers to ensure they are well maintained, at all times of the year but particularly in adverse weather.

On previous occasions in this chamber, I have stated that safety of all children is paramount. One of the most important things we can do as elected members is to ensure the safety and well-being of children. This is why I, and my SNP colleagues, support this motion and I would urge you to back this. Thank you.