The Daily Record has now published an article covering our campaign and the Council’s stance on the Sandford–Strathaven walking route.

We were disappointed to read the comments from a Council spokesperson, who said:

“The route has been subject to several thorough reviews, with assessments carried out by experienced and qualified officers using recognised guidelines for evaluating walking routes to school. Each review has confirmed that the route continues to meet the established road safety criteria.”

They also stated:

“When pupils do not qualify for school transport, it is the responsibility of parents or carers to ensure their child gets to and from school safely, including assessing the level of supervision appropriate for their child.”

⚠️ These comments dismiss the real dangers families have repeatedly highlighted:

A narrow path, often under a metre wide, with no barriers.
Blind bends and cresting hills limiting visibility.
60mph speeding traffic including buses and HGVs passing just feet away.
No lighting along large stretches, forcing children to walk in complete darkness in winter.
No safe crossings, with children expected to “find a gap” in fast-moving traffic.

Meanwhile, when council workers carried out patch repairs on the same route, they were given traffic lights, cones, barriers, and high-viz gear to protect them. If adults need these protections for a few hours, how can children be expected to walk here daily without any safeguards?

This is not about box ticking or outdated guidelines. It’s about real safety — and the Council’s position is putting cost-cutting above children’s lives.

👉 We will keep pressing South Lanarkshire Council for answers, transparency, and action. In the meantime, please keep signing and sharing this petition. Every signature strengthens our case and proves that this issue cannot be ignored.

✍️ Sign and share: change.org/SandfordSafety

#SandfordSafety #SafeKidsNotBoxTicks #ChildSafetyBeforeCosts