CROMBIE children were forced to cross a busy trunk road on their first day at high school to get the bus – which then drove straight past them yesterday (Wednesday).

Parents and a councillor had been fighting all week to change the route of the DF12, which would only pick up on the A985 instead of a safer spot in the village, but were unsuccessful.

Children had no choice but to cross the 40mph road yesterday morning but then waited for a service that failed to stop.

Parents have labelled the fiasco a “disgrace”.

Following the fury, Fife Council said it would now make arrangements for the bus to go through Crombie.

Liza Mitchell, mum of 12-year-old Ellie, who began her first day of school at Dunfermline High yesterday, told the Press: “It was an absolute disgrace this morning.

“We were given a bus timetable last week and just assumed they would pick up in the village as the other school buses do. But when another parent enquired, we were told it wouldn’t be and they would have to go to the main road.

“I then asked for a risk assessment but I was told it wasn’t needed because there were already two working bus stops on that road. But anyone looking at it would see it was not safe.”

Unprepared to send Ellie out on her own, Liza accompanied her daughter to the bus stop.

“It took three-and-a-half minutes of waiting before I said it was safe for her cross,” she added.

“The string of emails I’ve had from Transportation this week was not very nice at all.

“They basically said, ‘We’re not going to do anything about it’. Then it was the icing on top of the cake when the bus went past. My daughter was anxious enough starting high school.

“Thankfully, some of the parents who drive were off work and they were able to drive them.”

Councillor Tony Orton said: “Since last Friday, I’ve been trying to sort this out but I’ve just been getting resistance.

“The bus operator said they were happy to change it but needed education’s approval.

“That didn’t happen in time for the first day.

“It’s a silly situation. Any reasonable person would know getting children to cross that road is not safe.”

Head of education and children’s services Shelagh McLean commented: “In response to requests from parents we are making arrangements for this new school bus serving Dunfermline HS to be routed through the village of Crombie. It’s hoped to do this as soon as possible.”

“We will be in touch with parents directly to keep them informed of the changes.”