A “WORRIED” mum has hit out over her young daughters being forced to walk on a narrow, unlit lane to catch a bus to school.

Each morning and afternoon the two Priorsford Primary pupils walk on the busy B7062 back road to a stop near Cardrona.

The bus the children used to take passes their house – but they can no longer get on as the council says it is too full.

Cheryl Scougal said: “The school minibus, which the girls used to get still runs.

“So they are literally walking past it, by our house, at 8.15am.”

She added: “We’ve just been told there’s no room for them anymore and SBC [Scottish Borders Council] can’t run a bigger one, so the girls have been put on a different school bus that goes from the village.

“They will need to walk down the back road to the former Nashy’s café to get to school.

“We’re also unfortunately past the 40mph speed sign.

“I have ordered hi-vis vests.”

David Mundell, the MP for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale, has thrown his weight behind the cause and urged the council to launch an “urgent review” into the situation.

He said: “The safety of pupils travelling to school must be of the utmost concern.

“Two primary-age children having to walk along an unlit road, early in the morning, is clearly unsatisfactory and something Ms Scougal is quite right to be worried about.

“I have made representations on her behalf to SBC, seeking an urgent review of this and urging that an acceptable solution be found.”

Ms Scougal pleaded for drivers to take care, saying: “Please, please pay attention at approximately 8.15am and 3.45pm if you happen to be driving up the back road, and if possible don’t speed up until past the Cardrona sign or vice versa on the other way.”

On social media it was suggested that she should drive her daughters to the bus stop, but she does not currently have a car.

Tweeddale East councillor Robin Tatler said: “Myself and the other Tweeddale East councillors have been contacted by Ms Scougal in relation to this unacceptable situation regarding school transport for her children.

“We are asking the school transport department at SBC to come forward with safer alternatives as soon as possible.”

Tweeddale East councillor Julie Pirone added: “I have asked Cheryl to appeal the decision on the grounds of safety for her children and I will support her.

“It is a 40mph road which I don’t believe children should be walking on without pavements.

“I am sure officers will consider these points carefully.

“At the same time some decisions have to be taken which not everyone will agree with given the amount of children who are transported to school, but safety should be paramount in all cases. I would also appeal to all drivers on rural roads to slow down at times when we know children are going to school.”

An SBC spokesperson confirmed the council was carrying out a road safety appraisal.

They said: “As with most years, there have been minor changes to some transport arrangements to accommodate new pupils.

“The minibus that travels past Ms Scougal’s house is at capacity before it reaches her home address, however, we have accommodated her children on another bus from Cardrona which had seats available.

“Ms Scougal has contacted the council, this morning (Tuesday), to raise concerns around the safety of the walk, between the boarding point and her home address, and we are now carrying out a road safety appraisal and will communicate directly with Ms Scougal once this is completed.”