A school bus operator has been fired by Angus Council after refusing to pick up youngsters at “killer bends” on the road between Montrose and Brechin.
James Kennedy-Pratt told the authority he was not prepared to stop for a pupil near the Mill of Dun S-bend a few miles west of Montrose because of the risk he thought it posed to passengers and other drivers.
However, after being told by the council that he had to make the pick-up, Mr Kennedy-Pratt informed school transport bosses he was left with “no alternative” but to give 30 days’ notice on the contract earlier this month.
The operator’s stance was backed by a retired traffic police officer. In response, the authority served a breach notice on the businessman, terminating the contract with immediate effect at the beginning of this week.
Mr Kennedy-Pratt has also been told monies due to him are being withheld until the authority ascertains the extent of any losses they may incur in the appointment of a new contractor.
The Mill of Dun location on the A935 has been the scene of serious and fatal accidents and Mr Kennedy-Pratt said he was immediately concerned when the council asked him to collect an additional pupil at the location.
“I went out there, did my own risk assessment and sent a letter to the council telling them I did not think it was a safe place to stop,” he said.
“The safety of the children is paramount and the bottom line for me is that I don’t think they should be risking children’s lives like this,” he said.
In his report on the location, the former traffic officer, of 25 years experience, said he would “condemn any decision” to stop a vehicle at the location.
He highlighted the main problem as being for drivers travelling from Brechin, who could be confronted with a stationary bus on their side of the road.
The ex-policeman, now involved in driver training, said he parked his own vehicle in the suggested stopping point and was “alarmed” at the behaviour of drivers overtaking towards the bends.
“I have personally dealt with a number of serious and fatal accidents on the A935, some that occurred at this location,” his report added.
“It was clear to see that drivers approaching from Brechin and being confronted by a stationary vehicle on their side of the road cannot see the road curving off left beyond it.
“I would certainly condemn any decision to cause or direct any passenger vehicle to stop there, in the interest of road safety.”
In response to the operator’s concerns, Angus Council said a site visit had been carried out involving police and senior roads staff which concluded it was appropriate to request the pick up and drop off at the spot.
The authority told Mr Kennedy-Pratt another school pick-up serves the same location and no concerns had been raised by other operators.
The authority also said visibility past an appropriately signed school bus would be more restricted than the car used by the ex-policeman in his assessment of the site, thereby reducing the risk of drivers attempting to overtake the stationary vehicle. Mr Kennedy-Pratt added: “There have been improvements to the road near this location and they mean that traffic is coming even faster towards the bends.
“The council is also improving the Mill of Dun bends, so they’re not going to be spending money there if they don’t think it’s dangerous.
“I have been running school contracts for 30 years but I just didn’t think it was morally right to ask me to stop there because I was so concerned about the risk it posed.
“Because I felt so strongly about it I stood up to the council and told them that I couldn’t continue to operate the contract. I don’t think they should be risking lives like this.”
The operator also complained to Angus Council about the handling of the matter but has been informed by authority chief executive Richard Stiff that, following an investigation of the circumstances, the complaint has not been upheld.
Mr Kennedy-Pratt is now consulting with his solicitor over the issue.
A spokesperson for Angus Council said: “Following site visits by the police and our roads service, this pick-up point has been assessed as being safe.
The contractor was not prepared to undertake the pick-up and gave notice to withdraw from the contract.
“The council has therefore terminated the contract and is now ensuring the child is picked up by other provision.”
Photo by Angus Pictures