Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

All School Bus Routes Must be Salted - Hearty

Published: 8 December, 2008

Crossmaglen Sinn Fein Councillor Terry Hearty has called on Roads Service to grit all school bus routes, especially those around the vicinity of the school.

Cllr Hearty said,

"The Sinn Féin office in Crossmaglen has been inundated with calls from concerned parents all week complaining about untreated school bus routes.

There has been reports that the Ulsterbus school services from Creggan, Glassdrummond, Ballsmill, Tullydonnell and Silverbridge going to schools in Newry, have left children standing along the road for half an hour or more, in sub zero temperatures only for them then to go home, missing school.

In the past week Ulster Bus failed to service bus routes from Monday to Wednesday, although we had no frost. On Thursday the bus was 30 minutes late and by that time the children had gone home, resulting in almost a week missed from school. The fact that children are sitting exams makes this all the more serious.

On a number of occasions over the last few years I have called on Roads Service to assess this route for salting. They have repeatedly stated that it does not meet the criteria. This is simply not good enough, in the interest of child safety I once again call on Road Service to salt all school bus routes ensuring children get to school safely.

All Departments need to work together to ensure that child safety is their priority