A busy arterial road outside Tassagh, which sees children as young as 11 walk to the school bus on a daily basis, will be evaluated by the Education Authority.
The main Armagh-Newtownhamilton Road sees hundreds of heavy goods vehicles pass through on it every day – as it does schoolchildren.
Dozens of children – some as young as 11 – are forced to walk the treacherous journey along the side of the road in order to get a school bus for St Patrick’s High School in Keady.
SDLP representative Seamus Livingstone has called on the Education Authority to extend the bus route up from the Corran crossroads.
“Residents have been in touch with me about the Keady High School bus dropping children off at Corran Crossroads,” Mr Livingstone explained.
“These children are then expected to walk up the extremely dangerous and fast Armagh-Newtownhamilton Road.
“I have stood on this roadside and I would not be prepared to put anyone walking on this route, never-mind school children.
“This is a major cross border route that carries a high volume of traffic including lorries carrying large loads.
“It is not acceptable to expect school children to navigate such a dangerous route, the speed could pull a child out of the verge.
“I am delighted that the Education Authority have agreed to carry out a full assessment of this route following my request.
“I will keep residents informed of that outcome.”
