SNP Councillor Alan Hill has said it is important to keep concerted pressure on North Ayrshire Council regarding restoring the school bus between Largs ferry slip and the new school campus for ferry pupils.

We reported last week that a bid to get the controversial decision to axe the bus service for Cumbrae pupils from Largs slip to the new campus overturned has been set in motion.

Cumbrae Community Council, West Kilbride Councillor Todd Ferguson, who was one of three Conservative councillors to call-in the matter to NAC’s Scrutiny Committee, and independent councillor Ian Murdoch all voiced strong opposition to the removal of the service.

Alan Hill said: "I am delighted that the Scrutiny Committee supported my proposal to refer the transport issue back to the Labour Group with a recommendation that they reinstate the buses from the slip when the new school opens.

"Each and every one of these young people lives more than 3 miles from the school and are therefore entitled by law to free transport. It is not fair to try and take advantage of the fact that part of their journey is by ferry.

"The Government regulations also make reference to the length of time spent by young people travelling to school and again this would lead to a requirement for transport being provided.

"It is important however that we keep up the pressure over the next few weeks. Our online petition at change.org is just about to cross the 1,000 mark which is amazing over such a short space of time. I hope that we can present this to the council early next week and would urge all those who haven’t yet signed the petition to do so - ”

The matter will be discussed at the North Ayrshire Cabinet on Tuesday January 23.