Grandad says kids were put in danger
Pavement near school bus drop off point dug up
A Rutherglen grandfather has slammed local authorities for putting children in danger after the pavement at a school drop off point was dug up by a utilities company.
Alan McLennan said there were chaotic scenes at Crawfurd Road last week when more than 100 children attempted to get off a school bus in the same area Scottish Water had dug up the pavement.
Mr McLennan, who collects his grandson from the Burnside Primary decant bus, said it was an ‘accident waiting to happen’ as he saw diggers, trailers and other vehicles blocking the drop off point for three school busses.
He is baffled the situation was allowed to happen by road authority South Lanarkshire Council and the national water provider.
Explaining Scottish Water had first dug up the pavement for repairs which last one week in January, Mr McLennan said workers returned to the site on February 7.
He said: “The problem was exacerbated by the fact that there were six contractors’ trucks and vans, together with a trailer and mini excavator all parked along and opposite the drop off point.
“This resulted in a dangerous situation when all three busses arrived and loads of kids started to disembark.
“There was no forethought because obviously Scottish Water and South Lanarkshire Council should be speaking to one another. They shouldn’t be doing this here when the kids are being dropped off.
“Surely Scottish Water must be aware of the bus drop off and should be able to manage the work and particularly their vehicles to accommodate the dropping off of primary school children. Yesterday was an accident waiting to happen and fortunately it didn’t this time.”
Gordon Mackay, South Lanarkshire Council’s head of roads and transportation, said: “Wherever possible we work with utility companies to coordinate roadworks and reduce disruption; however, they do have statutory powers to carry out such emergency work and do not require the council’s consent to do so.
“On the two occasions in question Scottish Water required to carry out emergency works to repair bursts to the water main and were unable to give the council advanced notice.”
A Scottish Water spokesman said: “Scottish Water were working in the Crawfurd Road area after locating a leak in a main there.
“The team involved were unaware that the location is the temporary pickup and drop- off point for Burnside Primary School decant buses as there is no signage in place.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused as minimising the impact of our work on customers is a top priority for Scottish Water. Any future work in the area will be planned to avoid times when the temporary bus drop-off point is in place.”