Children Face Long Walk to School After Bus Service Ends
Children in the Moray village of Portgordon are required to walk more than two miles to Buckie High School daily after councillors declined a request to reinstate a dedicated school bus service.
Parents who initiated a petition argue that the 50-minute walk is unsafe, particularly during the dark winter months.
Moray Council responded by stating that the route complies with national safety guidelines, including the presence of a continuous footpath.
Community campaigner Iona Shewan expressed frustration over the decision, emphasizing that children do not feel safe walking the route.
Shewan explained that Buckie High School is approximately two-and-a-half miles (4km) from Portgordon.
"Our route takes you through the village and right on to a 60mph road along which we have the Moray coast on our left hand side, and just over a mile of that road is unlit," she told BBC Scotland News.
"It's quite a scary place to be especially in the dark winter months.
On a beautiful day it's lovely to walk, but not for kids going to school. You're getting the Moray coast wind blasted off you on a not so nice day."
Bus Service Terminated and Council Decision
The dedicated school bus service was discontinued on Friday, 27 March.
At a meeting held on Tuesday, councillors voted against reinstating the service.
Following an assessment, council officers determined that:
- There is a continuous footpath along the route.
- Traffic volumes and speeds are within acceptable safety limits.
- There is no pattern of accidents indicating specific pedestrian risks.
The council concluded that no exceptional circumstances exist to warrant a dedicated school bus service.
This decision aligns with the council's school transport policy, which provides free transport only when pupils live beyond specified distances or when no safe walking route is available.
Concerns Over Safety and Travel Options
The local authority highlighted alternative travel options, including local bus services, free travel for individuals under 22, as well as walking and cycling routes.
Shewan noted that the current bus departs Portgordon shortly after 07:45, arriving in Buckie just before 08:00, with school starting at 08:45.
School ends at 15:40, and the bus back to Portgordon leaves around 16:25.
"So it's a long wait either side," she said, adding that buses can be cancelled on short notice.
"Some children have said that they feel unsafe travelling to and from school because of the world that we live in today.
It's forcing parents that can drive and have transport to make that journey with their children."
Local Buckie councillor Sonya Warren, whose ward includes Portgordon, acknowledged the unique challenges faced by rural communities.
"I want to thank everyone who signed the petition, attended meetings, shared their experiences and spoke up on behalf of local young people. We will continue to press for the concerns raised by the Portgordon community to be heard."
Council's Position on Safety Guidance
Council leader Kathleen Robertson stated:
"We fully understand the concerns raised by families and young people in Portgordon, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to engage with the petitions process.
However, we have to apply our policy fairly and consistently across Moray.
The evidence shows that the route meets national safety guidance when children are accompanied, and there are no exceptional factors that would justify reinstating a dedicated school bus."
She added:
"We will continue to look at improvements to the route where possible and support families to make the safest travel choices for their children."
Community Engagement and Further Information
Residents and families are encouraged to share their views on stories they would like to cover from North East Scotland, Orkney, and Shetland.
Additional coverage includes concerns over school bus provision described as a "massive muddle" by parents and council assurances regarding the condition of local schools.
