PROTESTERS campaigning for “long-promised” schools at Ravenscraig are calling on parents to join a public meeting later this month.

Ravenscraig Community Action Group (RCAG), which represents residents from the area and surrounding communities, believes the planned schools are “four years late.”

However, North Lanarkshire Council has said it remains “100% committed” to delivering the two primaries.

RCAG member Elaine Morris said: “North Lanarkshire is four years late for new schools at Ravenscraig.

“Despite two significant consultations in 2019 backed by parents, councillors and Education Scotland, four years on, the site of the proposed schools lies bare.

“There’s been no update on the promise made by council chiefs. Ravenscraig families deserve better.”

Parents are up in arms about their children being bussed to other areas.

“Families from across Motherwell, Wishaw and North Lanarkshire have chosen Ravenscraig to live, work and raise their children,” said Elaine. “Together we need to be included in the development of plans for the site by North Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Enterprise, the Ravenscraig Partnership and others.”

The campaign comes against a backdrop of a North Lanarkshire Council consultation which proposes significant cuts to school transport. The group is calling for parents to object to the plans via the council’s consultation exercise, open until April 28.

RCAG is hosting a digital public meeting with councillors and Pauline O’Neill, education manager, at North Lanarkshire Council on March 23. 

A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: “We remain 100% committed to delivering a new community hub, which will include two new primary schools, within Ravenscraig.

“This project is expected to be delivered as part of the next capital programme allocation for the Town and Community Hub Programme of Work. The next capital programme is expected to commence in April 2024.

“The construction market has drastically changed since the statutory education consultation was concluded and costs have risen exponentially. And it is crucial that we manage capital programmes within the available budget.

“Unfortunately this has resulted in Ravenscraig Community Hub being deferred as there is currently sufficient capacity in surrounding schools to accommodate pupils.

“The proposal to carry out a statutory education consultation was approved by the Education and Families Committee on February 25, 2020. The subsequent outcome report – which then provided the council with the approval to proceed with this project, was granted at the Education and Families Committee on May 18, 2021. It is therefore less than two years since approval was given.”