A parent is warning that two of the pathways leading to Commercial and St Margaret's primary schools are unsafe for the parents and pupils who use them.

The pathway in question is in two sections. The first part begins at St John’s Drive and ends at Tolmount Crescent, where the next path begins and leads to the school.

Dunfermline Press: The potholes can freeze over in cold weather.The potholes can freeze over in cold weather. (Image: Jennifer Steward)

The paths do not have any lighting and have several potholes. When the weather is cold the path can become very icy as well.

The route is used by pupils attending both primary schools.

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Jennifer Steward, a Commercial Primary School parent, said: “Every day a child is falling over and hurting themselves. The school encourages children to cycle to school, but we cannot allow them.

“Every day we are walking down just watching kids fall left, right, and centre.”

Sometimes the path is so bad that parents and children walk single file in the mud to get to school. Jennifer added: “It’s really degrading to have to walk single file.”

The pathways are not owned by Fife Council.

Dunfermline Press: The pathways do not have any lights on them and have potholes.The pathways do not have any lights on them and have potholes. (Image: Jennifer Steward)

Sara Wilson, service manager, said: "Although the former road isn't owned by Fife Council, it is a public right of way and is used by pupils and parents as a walking route. We are unable to install street lighting on roads that are not managed and maintained by the council.

“However, we will arrange for the condition of the walking route to be inspected as there is a small budget available that can be used in some circumstances to repair private roads.”

But Jennifer is concerned: “Everyone keeps on saying something is going happen. Someone is going get really, really hurt.”