Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has demanded answers from Staffordshire County Council over changes to school transport that could see some children struggling to obtain a seat.
Parents of Coven pupils attending the nearby Wolgarston High School received a letter from Staffordshire County Council, in December 2013, advising that the school coach service (Route 811) was being withdrawn with immediate effect.
They were informed that, in future, the pupils would need to use the public bus service – Arriva 76 – and that they should apply to Staffordshire County Council for a free pass.
A number of parents have raised concerns with Gavin about the new school transport arrangements. Concerns raised included the lack of an adequate contingency plan, should there be no space available on the bus, and the risk that young students could be left stranded at bus stops.
There were also fears that the earlier 3.35pm departure time of the bus, at the end of the school day, would give students insufficient time to reach the bus from their last class.
Gavin has written to the chief executive of Staffordshire County Council to raise these concerns and to request what contingency plans are being put in place to protect children and ensure that they arrive to school on time.
Gavin said: “This decision to shift school pupils onto public transport is extremely concerning. At the very least, the Council needs to come up with a contingency plan to ensure that all pupils reach school safely and on time.
“It is not enough to say that, on a normal day, there will be sufficient spaces available on the bus. Parents need to know that, even in extraordinary circumstances, their children are protected.”