Aberdeenshire Opposition Group Welcome Interim Return of Chapelton School Transport
>> 31 August 2023
At a meeting of the Education and Children’s Service’s Committee of Aberdeenshire Council today, Opposition Group Councillors moved a motion to reinstate a bus for children from Chapelton who attend Newtonhill Primary School. The bus service was removed by the council at the start of the 23/24 academic year.
A report was taken to the Committee following receipt of a petition from the community asking for the service to be reinstated, due to safety and congestion concerns.
Cllr Alison Evison (Independent) proposed a motion to reinstate the transport until a more comprehensive report can be received by the Committee. This was seconded by Cllr Louise McAllister (SNP) and passed unanimously.
Commenting, Cllr Evison said:
“It was clear from the petition that concerns about road safety have not yet been resolved to the satisfaction of local residents. We listened and responded as we were empowered to do today, with a further report now planned for a future Committee where a final decision can be made. We were pleased to see unanimous agreement for the reinstatement of the bus service until this decision.”
Cllr McAllister added:
“I am very pleased with the outcome of today’s committee meeting and the decision to revisit the question of school transport for the children of Chapelton currently travelling to Newtonhill Primary School.
"The safety of our children is of paramount importance and the reinstatement of school transport, whilst the decision to stop the service is being revisited, will allow children and their families some comfort and flexibility. The commitment to look again at this particular set of circumstances, bearing in mind a primary school is already in the offing, is very encouraging."
"The safety of our children is of paramount importance and the reinstatement of school transport, whilst the decision to stop the service is being revisited, will allow children and their families some comfort and flexibility. The commitment to look again at this particular set of circumstances, bearing in mind a primary school is already in the offing, is very encouraging."
Local SNP Councillor for the area, Catherine Victor, added:
"I am delighted that we have, once again, managed to reinstate the Chapelton to Newtonhill Primary school bus service, albeit on a temporary basis, whilst a further report is undertaken on the safety concerns.
"My thanks go to the parents of Chapelton and Newtonhill, who have fought hard alongside me to keep this service going.
"There are around 30 children using the service, who will have to travel to Newtonhill until the new Chapelton school is completed, and it is imperative that we support them to do so in the safest way possible. I look forward to a positive outcome from the requested report and always making sure our children have safe journeys to and from school."
"My thanks go to the parents of Chapelton and Newtonhill, who have fought hard alongside me to keep this service going.
"There are around 30 children using the service, who will have to travel to Newtonhill until the new Chapelton school is completed, and it is imperative that we support them to do so in the safest way possible. I look forward to a positive outcome from the requested report and always making sure our children have safe journeys to and from school."
