News Release

8th August 2008

SCHOOL TRANSPORT - ALREWAS TO JOHN TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL, BARTON

Michael Fabricant has reacted with caution at Staffordshire County Council's temporary U-turn over the provision of free school transport between Alrewas and John Taylor High School in Barton Under Needwood (which will become a part of the Lichfield Parliamentary Constituency after the next General Election). In a letter to Alrewas parents, Andrew Marsden (Head of School Organisation, Admissions and Transport, Staffordshire County Council) says: "Given the proximity of the new school term and since pupils from Alrewas have previously always received free transport to John Taylor, I have agreed that the children transferring from primary school this September will be issued with temporary free passes, until Christmas. This will allow time for a considered response to be made with regard to the availability of walking routes to John Taylor High School."

Michael Fabricant says: "I have told Peter Traves, Director of Education, in a series of letters and emails that I have seen the route that pupils are expected to walk along the A38. I have told him that no rational County official could possibly deem it safe for school children. This is a major national trunk road and to expect kids to walk alongside it is total madness.

"While I am delighted that a temporary respite has been offered up until Christmas, this must be made permanent. I have told Peter Traves that the County owes a duty of care to its children and if an accident were to happen, the County would be morally and legally liable. But I don't want that put to the legal test - it is vital that an accident is avoided. That can only happen if the County permanently reverse their mad decision to make vulnerable children walk alongside the A38."

The letter from Andrew Marsden to parents follows below.

I refer to the provision of free school transport between John Taylor High School and the parts of Alrewas which are under three miles away, and the route check which was undertaken by officers from the Integrated Transport and Planning Unit within the Development Services Directorate.

Following the route check and in line with the guidelines in the County Council's 'Route Assessment Criteria' the recommendation made to the Children and Lifelong Learning Directorate is that the route is "available" to walk by a child accompanied, as necessary, by a responsible adult. A copy of the report is attached for your information. Please note that the report includes an additional assessment of a small part of the route around Catholme canal bridge.

After considering the report, I have decided to postpone making a decision until a) this route has been examined further and b) consideration has been given to any alternative walking routes that may be available between the village and the school. I understand that this does not remove the uncertainty for parents and pupils, but I wish to ensure that I take what I consider to be the right decision.

Given the proximity of the new school term and since pupils from Alrewas have previously always received free transport to John Taylor, I have agreed that the children transferring from primary school this September will be issued with temporary free passes, until Christmas. This will allow time for a considered response to be made with regard to the availability of walking routes to John Taylor High School.

If a decision is made that there is an available walking route, then all pupils attending the school who are identified as living under three miles from the school will be given at least three months' notice of the intention to withdraw the provision of free transport. Parents will then also be advised of the availability of public transport in the area and, if there are any spare seats available on the contracted school transport, and how to apply for them under the 'Temporary Vacant Seat Scheme'. If a decision is made that there are no available walking routes, then parents will be advised that free transport will continue to be provided.