Worries over Bathgate school catchment proposals

Nov 17 2011 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

RESIDENTS of a Bathgate community are voicing concerns at proposals to change school catchment areas.

Householders in the town’s Academy Place say they are worried children in the street and surrounding area would be expected to walk up to 1.6 miles to Boghall Primary if the boundary changes are approved.

The area is currently served by Balbardie Primary, 0.4 miles away.

And families say they would be concerned for the safety of youngsters walking such a distance to school.

Sharon Gibson, who has a two-year-old son Ross, says she would be worried about sending him along the council’s recommended route to Boghall Primary when the time comes to start school.

She said: “Nobody has any problems with Boghall Primary as a school – it’s a perfectly good school.

“What we are concerned about is the route the council are recommending for our children to walk to get there.

“They are suggesting that they walk through Kirkton Park which is not safe.

“We walked through there on Saturday afternoon and it is a secluded area where, if anything was to happen to a child, they couldn’t be heard calling for help.

“Apart from that, there’s also the distance involved.

“We have measured the route as being 1.6 miles, whereas the council say it is 1.39 miles, which is within their recommended walking limit of 1.5 miles.

“But either way, that’s a long way to expect a young child to walk to and from school, especially when compared to 0.4 miles to Balbardie.”

The proposed changes to school catchments in Bathgate have been prompted by proposals for new housing developments in the town.

Over 2100 new houses are expected to be built by 2020, with 480 new homes planned within the Balbardie area; 30 in Boghall’s catchment; 1390 in Simpson Primary’s area; and 238 new homes in Windyknowe’s catchment.

The houses are also in denominational school areas with 28 new homes falling into St Columba’s catchment and 2109 falling into St Mary’s area.

But Sharon Gibson said she and other local families are concerned that the council are giving priority to people who don’t yet live in the town.

She said: “I understand there has to be planning for the future, but we feel that we are being sidelined for people who will live in houses that haven’t even been built yet. This will have a big effect on families because nurseries in Bathgate can’t provide wraparound care to Boghall and even those who have children already at Balbardie won’t be given a guarantee that their younger kids will get a place there.”

However, West Lothian Council say the proposals are still up for consultation until December and say no decision has been made.

A council spokesman said: “Consultation on the primary school catchment areas in Bathgate is currently underway and runs until December 6.

“No decision will be taken, or any changes put into effect, until the consultation period has been concluded in line with statutory requirements.

“The proposals are designed to make best use of existing and future school capacities, allowing pupils to attend their local catchment school and keeping walking distances to under 1.5 miles.”

More information about the proposals can be found on the council’s website at www.westlothian.gov.uk/education/schoolrelateditems/