Here in the Western Isles, an unholy row has broken out between the council and the residents of Laxdale, Newmarket, Newvalley and Cearns. The latter 4 villages could be termed "suburbs" of Stornoway, but I think referring to suburbs when you're talking about a town pop 7,500 is a bit overrated.
Anyways, the row has to do with schoolbuses. A 31-seater bus is used to ferry youngsters from Laxdale School, about 1 mile north of Stornoway, to their homes in the villages mentioned above. Bearing in mind that Laxdale School is a primary school, 3 children were able to sit in a double seat, in which two adults normally fit. The council has tightened up on regulations, and have stated that only two kids would be allowed to sit in a double seat. Which leaves a number of kids out in the cold. There is only the one bus, you see. Those that can't travel on the bus have to walk in. You're not talking vast distances here, 2 miles max, but the roads here have no pavements, and are in use by lorries, buses and other large vehicles. Pedestrians have to jump into the ditch to prevent being mowed down.
And that's given the row, justifiably so, as the children have to walk to school along dangerous roads. In December, they'll be walking in the dark, as the sun doesn't rise until 9.15. The parents have now threatened to keep their kids at home until the council lays on a larger bus.
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A bus is the safest place for chldren, whether they are sitting two to a seat or three to a seat, and that's a fact. It is really sad, and it breaks my heart that the regulations would take precedence over the safety of young children. So the same regulations that they want to enforce in the name of "safety" are now putting childrens lives at stake if they have to walk to and from school. That is just ludicrous! I certainly hope that the parents won't be forced into keeping the children home, but if it comes to that, then they won't have a choice.
ReplyDeleteMandy ~
This is really stupid, isn't it? And here they are making big kids sit three to a seat and then yelling at them when legs get stuck out in the aisle; as if they can help it! That's why I take my kids to school. (Perhaps "satellites" of Stornaway would be a good word?")
ReplyDeleteLori