Bin lorry drivers are being redeployed to drive pupils to school after a problem with bus contracts left more than 1,000 children without transport.

The Daily Record reports around 1,400 pupils in North Lanarkshire were affected last week after Strathclyde Partnership for Transport was unable to put in place a number of school bus contracts in time for the start of term.

The report says the council is now redeploying drivers who normally drive children with additional support needs who will instead drive 10 buses which the council has secured to take children to school.

Bin lorry drivers from the waste fleet will be redeployed to drive the childre to their place of learning. As a result the council is temporarily suspending blue bin collections.

In a statement on its website, North Lanarkshire Council said, “

To assist SPT, who have sourced some additional buses but have been unable to engage drivers, some of our appropriately trained and qualified drivers will be required to drive buses for school transport. While we will seek to engage replacement drivers as quickly as possible, this means that we have taken the difficult decision to suspend collection of blue paper and card bins for the next three weeks, until Monday September 12.

“During this time, residents are asked not to present their blue bins for collection. Please either dispose of paper and card in your general waste bin or, if possible, take it to a recycling centre.

“We apologise for the inconvenience this temporary suspension of service will cause.”

(File picture – Transport Scotland)