'Children at risk' over bus route cancellation

Removing a free school bus from a village in Cheshire could put children at risk, according to parents of pupils in the area.

Parents and local politicians have taken part in a protest march against Cheshire East Council's decision to stop the service from Rode Heath to Alsager School, a secondary school with more than 1,500 pupils.

One parent described the decision as "ridiculous" and said she was worried about the children's safety.

Cheshire East Council said it understood the removal of the bus service would be "concerning" and it was applying national school transport policy.

Councils have to provide free transport for pupils who do not live within the statutory walking distance from their school.

For children under the age of eight that is two miles and for children eight and above it is three miles.

The government guidance states there is no expectation a child would walk, but it means their parent is responsible for their travel to school.

The guidance also says that a child would be eligible if the nature of the route meant they could not be expected to walk there in "reasonable safety" even if with a parent.

One of the protesting parents, Kate Jury, said the area was "quite rural" and had some busy roads.

"The pavements are incredibly narrow, often overgrown," she said.

"It's dark, it's unlit and a very busy road. Children are going to get killed on this road."

Another parent, Andy Gribben, said he felt the route would be "treacherous" in winter.

"I just don't understand why they would cancel the bus for this when it's just been going for so long in the village, children from all walks of ages have caught the bus," he said.

Politicians also joined parents on the march.

Liz Wardlaw, Conservative councillor for Odd Rode, told BBC Radio Stoke: "[They council] need to save money and so decided they'll put the children from Odd Rode at risk."

"It's not just the withdrawal of free transport, there is no transport.

"Public transport isn't available from our lovely rural parish that would get there anywhere near on time for school," she said.

Sarah Russell, the Labour MP for Congleton, said she did not understand the decision.

"They have essentially said if there isn't a safe walking route they expect that parents will take their children to school.

"This is a big high school, if all those parents start driving their kids to school individually the traffic on the routes will increase," she said.

She said this would lead to increased road maintenance costs and more cars on the road would make it less safe for those who do walk.

She called for Cheshire East Council to reinstate the service and said the walking route was not "a viable alternative".

Emma Gilman, Cheshire East Council's cabinet member for education and special educational needs and disabilities, said the authority was "applying national school transport policy".

"We understand that the removal of the school transport route will be concerning for some families and may affect their daily arrangements," she said.

"Following highway improvements and a detailed safety assessment, both routes have been confirmed as available walking routes within the statutory distance."

"The safety of children remains the council's top priority. We will continue to work with families, schools and transport providers to ensure clear information is shared."

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