After weeks of waiting, we’ve now received a Stage 2 complaint response from South Lanarkshire Council, dated 16 September 2025 – but only shared with us today.

Unfortunately, the report fails to address the real-world safety issues parents have been raising for months:

The letter, signed by David Hinshelwood (Interim Head of Education), confirms that the Council carried out an on-site assessment on 22 August 2025, during “favourable weather conditions”.

Yet at no point were parents, pupils, or community representatives invited to take part, despite repeated requests for a genuine, transparent review.

Here’s what the Council claims:

“Assessments are undertaken by walking the route at school journey times… by experienced officers with appropriate knowledge and experience… and the premise that pupils can be accompanied by a responsible adult, if required.”

“From the junction of B7078 / School Road / Roman Road to Strathaven there is a footway / footpath… generally separated from the carriageway by a wide verge… adequate provision.”

“Driver and pedestrian visibility are considered as part of the route assessment. There is not considered to be any significant forward-visibility concerns walking along the route or crossing any side road / accesses.”

“A standard and consistent approach is taken across the Council area regarding the application of walking route to school assessment guidance. Street lighting does not form part of the road safety assessment process. There are no road crossings required within the rural area with a footway / footpath being present for the full section. It is not standard practice to have crash barriers provided along large lengths of carriageway and this does not impact the outcome of the assessment.”

“Parents remain responsible for ensuring their children’s safety on the journey to and from school and any decision making required in this respect. This applies equally to whether children are making the journey independently or accompanied.”

“We continue to work towards our environmental and sustainability targets and as travel patterns settle as more pupils walk to school, a reduction of larger older vehicles on the road and greater use of the existing public service network we will continue to assess the impact of our transport policy.”

“We recognise the financial pressure on families and therefore in this context South Lanarkshire Council implemented the smallest increase in Council tax across all 32 local authorities in April 2025 and has the lowest council tax rate in Scotland.”

⚠️ Our concerns remain unchanged:

    * The review was done without parental input and in good weather, not in dark, wet, high-traffic winter conditions pupils actually face.

    * If driver and pedestrian visibility are being considered, then assessments must be carried out in all weather conditions to accurately reflect the real risks faced by children travelling to and from school during all seasons.

    * The Council’s claim that the verge provides adequate space is inaccurate — pedestrians often have to step onto the grass verge, right next to fast-moving vehicles and HGVs travelling at 60mph (and often faster).

    * It continues to assume every pupil has a responsible adult walking with them – unrealistic for secondary pupils.

    * It ignores blind bends, heavy traffic, no lighting, and narrow verges.

    * There is no permanent public bus service operating between Sandford and Strathaven — meaning there is no viable or sustainable transport alternative for pupils or families.

Forcing children to walk on an unsafe, unlit 60 mph rural road is not sustainable travel — it’s unsafe and unrealistic.  The Council’s approach undermines its own environmental and wellbeing objectives, as parents are left with no choice but to drive, increasing road traffic, congestion, and emissions — the exact opposite of what they claim to promote.

We have responded formally to the Council requesting clarification on these failings. If no satisfactory reply is provided, the matter will be escalated to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).

💬 This isn’t about bureaucracy or policy – it’s about real safety for real children.

The route remains dangerous, and families continue to be left without answers.

💬 We remain committed to securing either:
1️⃣ The reinstatement of school transport for Sandford pupils, or
2️⃣ Meaningful safety improvements — barriers, lighting, crossings, and wider paths.

🙏 Thank you to everyone continuing to share the campaign and support this cause. We won’t stop until a full, transparent review takes place.

📄 Petition & updates: change.org/SandfordSafety

#SandfordSafety #SafeKidsNotBoxTicks #TransparencyNow #CommunityAction