Pupils make 45-minute walk across busy roads and junctions from Scrabster to Thurso High School after bus service withdrawn
A NUMBER of youngsters are having to cross busy roads and junctions on a 45-minute walk from their homes in Scrabster to Thurso High school following the withdrawal of a bus service.
The pupils are having to make the trip much to the dismay of their parents who are desperate to get the service reinstated and hope a local contractor can "step in to fill the gap."
The route, which was operated by Stagecoach, was stopped just over two months ago and since then parents have been trying to find a solution to the problem.
Gail Brown, who has been leading the campaign along with other concerned parents, explained that a daily commercial service was operated by Stagecoach but ceased after the Christmas holidays. "The service was withdrawn suddenly and the only option since for families with no car is for the pupils to walk to and from the school. That can take up to 45 minutes each way and involves crossing busy junctions and roads with lorries, ferry and North Coast 500 traffic. It can be tricky for parents without access to a car and the weather can also be bad at this time of year," she said.
Mrs Brown, a mother of two boys who go to the high school, pointed out that Highland Council will provide free school transport if pupils under the age of eight have to walk more than two miles each way. It will also be provided if pupils over eight have to walk three miles each way or if the route is assessed as unsafe for children to walk. The distance from Scrabster to the high school is less than three miles.
She explained that 50 households from West Gills, Burnside and Scrabster signed a letter to council and asked for the road to be reviewed on safety grounds but they were informed it was deemed a safe walking route after a review by officials. They were told they would have to work with local Highland councillors to try and get a commercial service reinstated.
Mrs Brown, who lives with her husband and sons in West Gills, said even if parents can take their children to school by car there are issues with traffic and parking at Thurso High. "It can be very congested and there are also pot holes to avoid. Parents who have to drive their kids to school are adding to that congestion. We are being asked to consider the environmental impact of our actions but more cars are going to Thurso High school every day," she said.
"Parents are desperate to see something reinstated. We have had no service since the beginning of January. A bus service to the high school would benefit many children in the area and possibly those going to Pennyland primary as well. We are hoping a local contractor will step in and fill the gap," she added.
The issue was raised at this week's meeting of the Thurso Community Council by Iain Gregory, the co-founder of the Caithness Roads Recovery campaign group.
Struan Mackie, a Thurso and Northwest Caithness Highland councillor, said parents had contacted the Thurso councillors on the issue. He recognised the potential dangers for youngsters walking to the school on such busy roads and called for "a full discussion " to try and find a solution.
Community council chairwoman, ThelmaMackenzie, expressed concern about the situation and stressed children's safety is a priority.
After the meeting, Ron Gunn, the chairman of Highland Council's Caithness committee, said: "I would like to see some kind of bus service back there. I am very sympathetic to what the parents are saying and we should definitely meet to see if we can find a solution to this problem."
