School bus not big enough for pupils
Last updated 13:29, Monday, 01 September 2008
Children living in a Cumbrian village could end up being stranded there this week as there may be no space for them on the school bus which transports them two-and-a-half miles.
County councillor Keith Little, for Maryport, has intervened to try to sort the problem out.
He said he has been trying to get in touch with the education department at the council to find out if transport will be available when Netherhall School in Maryport starts back this week. If it isn’t, he will organise a mini-bus to get the extra children at Dearham to school.
Children are entitled to free bus fares if they live more than four miles away from their school. But the council has said it is still receiving applications for free travel, and will need to make arrangements accordingly.
Councillor Little said: “A new contract has been awarded for a 57-seater bus, but there are not enough places.
“I have been contacted by parents whose children will not be able to get to school.
“I have been told that if parents want concessionary fares for their children they should contact the education department and let them know. At the moment I have six parents who would like to use it if there is space available. That is a potential of 12 children who need the bus to get to school.
“I will have to see if there is space available or if the council can get another company or get a mini bus.
“Councillors don’t get to know about this situation until 72 hours before schools starts. But the council will know how many children are going to the school in April. We need to do this process much earlier.”
Councillor Alan Clark said: “Kids will be left at Dearham. The county council spends £5.8 million on consultations and can’t get kids to school. People are discouraged from taking kids to school in cars because they clog up the roads. But this is perpetuating it. It is chaos.”
A Cumbria County Council spokesperson said: “We are still receiving applications for students entitled to free transport under the statutory regulations.
“Until we know those exact numbers we can’t offer concessionary fares to other pupils. Parents and guardians have been informed of this and advised by Cumbria County Council that it is their responsibility to make sure students do not rely on this bus service to get to school. We will continue to monitor the situation and act accordingly.”
SAli@cngroup.co.uk
When i was at school it was the same story so why has it taken this long to come to light. That was seven years ago and even then there was more people standing than was allowed.It just sounds like lazyitus to me
View all comments on this article
property
motors
jobs
date
Have your say
Why doesn't the education board or whoever organise a bigger bus, we pay enough money in taxes to the goverment / council that should cover this.
Posted by Shiela Goodfiled on 10 September 2008 kl. 16:08