Students have been told to walk two hours a day to attend school following a council's decision to slash their bus service.
Despite the nearly three-mile journey being deemed unsustainable, parents of Cumbernauld Academy pupils were told that those living on the edge of the catchment area would have to make the trek on foot when they return after summer.
North Lanarkshire council had previously saved seats for students living in the Carrickstone area on the school transport service that they provided.
The cancellation of three school bus links is set to adversely affect 183 students.
Emma Ross, 44, whose 12-year-old son Nathan is due to join the school in August, decided to walk the proposed route, which she claimed took 69 minutes each way.
She filmed her journey through paths in poor condition and forested areas with overgrown bushes.
Ross said: "I’m all for exercise and you know a good 15, 20-minute walk is totally acceptable, but after a three-mile hike day and night carrying books and equipment they will be exhausted.
“In Scotland the weather is not the greatest and Cumbernauld itself is very known for its hills.”
GOOGLE MAPS
|Parents of Cumbernauld Academy pupils were told that those living on the edge of the catchment area would have to make the trek on foot when they return after summer
Ross also raised concerns about the safety of the students walking in the winter when it is dark, labelling the route as a "bully or predator's dream".
The 44-year-old mother shared her journey on social media, with other parents giving messages of support in the comment section.
One commenter said: “I too am a parent of a 13-year-old girl from Carrickstone... I 100 per cent agree the walking route is unsafe".
Another stated that Ross "echoed the thoughts and feelings of parents across Cumbernald".
Labour-run North Lanarkshire council announced the decision in June, stating: “The parents and carers of pupils on these contracts had previously received information indicating that no acceptable walking route had been identified at that time.
“Further letters will be issued on June 16, 2025 to advise that this position had now changed and that pupils who currently travel on these contracts will no longer be entitled to school transport from August 2025.
"The routes identified have been deemed acceptable following robust assessments.”
The statutory walking distances for UK schools are typically two miles for children under eight and three miles for older children
GETTY
|North Lanarkshire council said that 'the routes identified have been deemed acceptable following robust assessments'
Tanya Braun, director of external affairs for the Living Streets charity, said: “What is considered safe differs depending on location.
"Even where schools and homes are geographically close, our experience is that people will not choose to walk unless routes are safe and attractive.
“Ultimately, if a family doesn’t feel safe to let their child walk to school, then they won’t walk – regardless of what’s deemed appropriate on paper.
"For families without access to a car, it creates unnecessary anxiety at what should be a happy time in the next chapter of their child’s life as they seek alternative arrangements.”
In addition to Cumbernauld Academy, Our Lady's High School is set to affected by the service cancellations.