WELLWOOD youngsters have been given a new term boost by being provided with free bus passes to take them to school.

Fife Council operates a policy of free transport to school for primary children who live more than one mile away from their school, and two miles for secondary pupils, which is less than the national requirement of two and three miles respectively.

But ahead of pupils returning to the classroom last Wednesday, education officials had written to parents to advise that although all children in Wellwood had previously been entitled to a bus pass, half of those attending primary school would be eligible for free transport.

After parents and Wellwood Community Council raised their concerns over the proposed walking route between the village and McLean, councillors in the Dunfermline North ward took up the issue with deputy leader Lesley Laird and education spokesperson Bryan Poole and have secured an agreement that all pupils would continue to receive a pass.

Councillor Helen Law said: "After a number of communications with the council over the summer from local councillors, I decided to seek a meeting with the education spokesperson Councillor Bryan Poole and deputy leader of the council, Lesley Laird. 

"After some lengthy discussions, not least about the need to look again at the proposed walking route from Wellwood to McLean Primary School, there was agreement that the pass would continue for all pupils."

Cllr Law added that all walking routes to school are "currently being examined" to ensure that every child has a safe walking route to school if they are not entitled to free transport."