Own Goal

The (Acting) Head of Service (Curriculum and Policy Development) , a year ago, quite clearly stated that East Renfrewshire Authority's view was that a return to statutory provision of free School Bus services would be detrimental to pupils' safety.
See here (page 29 - last paragraph).

She conceded that a return to the car run would be inevitable which would only add to the pupils risk around schools as well as adding congestion to roads and pollution. Do these arguments seem familiar? Are all these routes now somehow safe? How can that be without consultation from Police or having carried out a risk assessment to re-evaluate them?

It has been stated that buses are not being withdrawn. The free buses that have been available on the grounds of safety are being withdrawn and being replaced by a pay bus which is being actively promoted. How can the Council rebuff their own pupil safety arguments made only last May? The safety conditions around roads and Schools in East Renfrewshire have not improved since then.

A staggering own goal! - Gerry O'Hara