School transport for mainstream schools
Walking Routes to School
We have a responsibility to ensure that suitable arrangements are in place to transport pupils to and from school if they are eligible due to the distance they live away from school.
We must also consider the availability and safety of walking routes for pupils living less than the entitlement distances. We use the walking route assessment from Road Safety GB guidelines to ensure fairness in providing free transport on road safety grounds. Other sections, such as the duty to provide transport, do not apply in Scotland.
The assessment concerns the route rather than the individual walking it. If an individual has specific needs or conditions that prevent them from walking, it is expected that the parent, carers or guardians will communicate this information to their respective school, and such factors would not be considered when assessing the suitability of a walking route. It is the responsibility of parents, carers or guardians to ensure that their child is confident and capable of understanding and adhering to road safety etiquette and standards.