School bus pick up point is 'putting children's lives at risk'

A BALLINDERRY family believe its children's lives are being put at risk because they have to cross a busy road to reach their school bus collection point.

George and Nichola McAlpine recently moved to the area and enrolled their two sons Jason and Alex at Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School.

After studying a map provided by the South Eastern Education and Library Board they thought the bus would collect their children outside the Ballinderry Antiques Shop.

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It was only after the family moved house they realised that this wasn't the case and that Nichola, who does not drive, would have to cross the the main A26 to reach the pick up point at the Masonic Hall.

George McAlpine said everything seemed ideal as he had to leave for work at 7.15am.

He said: "This was one of the main reasons we chose Ballycarrickmaddy Primary. It also influenced our decision in the location of the new house.

"On Monday 7th December we contacted the bus driver to arrange the children's time of pick up. However, we were advised by the bus driver that the pick up would be at the Masonic Hall, and in order to get the children to this point, my wife would have to cross one of the main arterial routes in Northern Ireland at peak traffic time with most vehicles travelling at 60 mph. When we raised safety concerns with the driver, he advised he was unable to facilitate a change of pick up that would not require crossing this main road."

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Mr McAlpine said that he is not prepared to put the safety of his family at risk.

"I am furious at the expectation that this is a reasonable request. I am also concerned that my children's education is being compromised as they are unable to get to school, especially at the time when a house move is a significant point in the life of the kids.

"If this route means that my children have to cross the main road to meet the bus pick up, is it possible to make a very slight alteration to the bus route to allow my children to be picked up safely?"

To add to the confusion, the map which showed the children would be picked up on the other side of the road was withdrawn and an amended version was issued on Tuesday .

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Councillor James Tinsley, who has taken up the family's case, said: "Why have parents at the school been issued with the incorrect map over a number of years? Indeed why has the school only been issued with a new map from the SEELB Transport Department on Tuesday?"

Mr Tinsley has spoken to Lisburn Mayor Councillor Allan Ewart, who is on the school's Board of Governors, and they have asked the SEELB for an urgent meeting to resolve the issue.

Mr Tinsley said: "I have been informed that another school bus crosses the same road and I have also been advised the bus driver can cross the road without much of a delay.

"The Department has determined that it takes 10-15 minutes for their vehicle to cross the road at this time of the morning, depending upon traffic queues exiting the village.

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"Therefore, why is it expected that a mother with two young children and indeed other parents are expected to cross this very busy road. I really fear for the safety of these children and would ask the Board to reverse their decision as soon as possible."

Mr Ewart agreed saying that "safety is paramount" in this case.

A spokesperson for the SEELB said: "The pickup point at the Masonic Hall on the Ballinderry Road is the established pickup point for 13 pupils residing in this area attending Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School. This has been the designated pickup point for over 10 years.

"In providing transport assistance a Board has 'no obligation to assist with travel for the whole of a journey, provided that the remainder of the journey does not exceed the qualifying distance of 2 miles….. and that the remainder of the journey is not excessive.' (DE Circular1996/41)

"The designated pickup point complies with the Board's obligation in this regard. Parents are therefore responsible for getting their children to the designated pickup point to meet with the bus."

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