Dear Mr Ewing,

RE: Strathdearn School Transport

I refer to your email dated 21 February 2024 on behalf of your constituent, Barbara MacAskill, Chair, Strathdearn Community Council, regarding transport provision for pupils attending Strathdearn Primary School

Since 2016 improvements to the area have included the provision of a number of paths, particularly those outside Tomatin Distillery and under the viaduct. Although the initial review in 2020 had stated that the walking route was safe, even before these improvements, we were aware of the work that was about to take place and decided not to move forward with the review findings until the route could be assessed again with the new pavements in place. After the Road Safety Team carried out this second assessment, improvements were additionally made to the area near to the food service caravan so that children would have a suitable walkway keeping them separate to vehicles that may be parking or turning at that point.

Assessment of Station Road was completed in line with the Policy. Although the road is unadopted, this does not prevent it being a walking route for children accompanied as necessary by a responsible adult (there is already a footpath marker directing walkers onto Station Road). The report included details regarding the speed limit, distance of route, sightlines, availability of step-offs, number of vehicles using the road and noted that street lighting was not present. This is similar to many walking routes in the Highlands and it was assessed that due to the extremely low number of vehicles using the route, clear visibility of any oncoming vehicle, suitable width of road/step offs and the speed the vehicles were likely to be travelling that Station Road was an acceptable walking route.

The Road Safety Assessment made specific mention of Station Road and the section of the road pertaining to the area included the following bullet points:

Station Road Junction near Distillery to Strathdearn Primary School

• This section of the route is entirely within a rural area.

• The speed limit is 60mph until the village, where it reduces to 30mph, then again to 20mph on Ard Park where the school is located.

• Whilst marked as path (see images below) this is an unadopted road in some section, rough surface again in some sections but its width whilst only single track provides a safe walking route due to the sightlines and extremely low number of vehicles using the route.

• There is no footpath along the route of Station Road.

• On the date of the assessment there were no vehicle movements along the route but it is evident that previously HGV’s had used the route and this may still occur for access to the Rail Yard.

• As the assessment is based upon the child being accompanied along the route by an adult the route is deemed safe.

• At the junction of Station Road onto the C1121 near the viaduct you then have a pavement all along the route towards the school where you cross at a safe crossing point into the school.

The Freedom of Information Request, referred to in your letter, requested information regarding November 2022 and November 2023 only and during that period it was only Strathdearn Primary that was affected. Transport has been removed from other locations outwith that time period. Removing home to school transport from previously entitled pupils is not a speedy process as notice is always given for parents to question or appeal the decision, which can result in further safety assessments with several reports being produced and the case can also be referred to the Education Transport Entitlement Review (ETER) The sub-committee for a final decision where further dispute remains. The route for Strathdearn was considered on 18 September 2023 and members of the sub-committee were shown a video of the route through Station Road before making their decision. With regards to your request that this case is reconsidered, we are not aware that there have been any fundamental changes to the road layout since last year that would prompt a re-evaluation.

Details of the meeting can be found on the link below under Item 15 and on page 28 of the report.

Economy and Infrastructure Committee | The Highland Council

I trust this deals with your enquiry. If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Yours sincerely

Karen Giles

Senior Transport Officer