School Transport Consultation – Ury Estate to Mackie Academy

What you told us

Between 9 February and 27 March 2026, we asked for your views on a proposal to withdraw discretionary home-to-school transport on the Ury Estate to Mackie Academy route.

We would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their feedback through the online survey, public meeting, and wider engagement activity. The evidence and insight provided through this process has been essential in helping us understand the practical impacts of the proposal and in informing next steps.

There was a high level of engagement, with 86 responses received through the online survey, alongside feedback gathered through a public meeting and a Place and Wellbeing Assessment.

A clear majority of respondents did not support the proposed removal of school transport, with around 84% of respondents indicating opposition.

Across all engagement activity, several consistent themes were identified.

Safety concerns were raised most frequently. Respondents highlighted risks associated with traffic volumes and speeds, narrow pavements, and the safety of key points along the route, particularly the B979 / A92 (AWPR) junction.

Importantly, the consultation process provided additional evidence of incidents and near misses occurring at this junction which are not fully reflected in existing recorded data. This highlighted a gap between available records and lived experience, and reinforced concerns about the practical safety of the route.

Many respondents expressed the view that, while the route may meet technical safety criteria, it is not considered suitable for regular use by school aged children in practice.

There was also clear evidence of strong reliance on the existing service, with demand already exceeding capacity and expected to increase in the future.

Respondents highlighted the impact on families, including challenges in accompanying children to school, and indicated that removal of the service would likely lead to increased reliance on private cars, with associated impacts on cost, congestion and the environment.

What we're doing

We have carefully considered all feedback alongside the Walk Route Safety Review and the Place and Wellbeing Assessment.

While the existing assessment concluded that the route is suitable for accompanied walking, the consultation findings demonstrate a clear difference between technical assessment and lived experience, particularly in relation to safety and day-to-day practicality.

Considering the strength of feedback and most notably the additional evidence provided through the consultation, no decision has been taken at this stage to withdraw discretionary home-to-school transport on this route.

The consultation also identified the B979 / A92 (AWPR) junction as a critical factor in determining the overall suitability of the route. While an independent junction review has not yet commenced, Transport Scotland are now supportive of this being undertaken by Aberdeen Roads Ltd. This represents an important step in ensuring that a more complete evidence base is available, with timelines for this work to be confirmed.

What happens next

Before any decision is made, we will:

• Await confirmation of timelines for the independent junction review and consider its findings once complete
• Progress actions identified through the Walk Route Safety Review, including maintenance and infrastructure improvements
• Continue to build the evidence base, including consideration of both recorded data and community-reported experience
• Keep the position under review once this additional work has been completed

A further update will be provided once this additional work has been progressed and a fully informed decision can be taken.