Parents' joy over free school travel
Parents were today celebrating after winning an appeal for their children to receive free school travel.
Families lobbied Staffordshire County Council to exempt them from rules forcing parents to pay for their children's travel costs if they live within three miles of their school.
Around 15 families living on Broad Lane in Essington argued the route to their local secondary school, Cheslyn Hay Sport & Community High, was not safe to walk.
Now the council has met their demands to re-evaluate the route and offer free bus travel.
Councillor David Clifft, who took up the cause on behalf of residents, said it was a 'really positive result'.
He said: "I very much shared parents' strong concerns that the route wasn't safe and called on officers to walk the route with myself and parents.
"Part of the route meant walking down New Landywood Lane, which is a country lane, with no public footpath or lighting and having a national speed limit.
"There are also a number of sharp bends which give limited visibility both for drivers and walkers."
Following requests, the county council sent officers to walk the route with parents in order to reassess its safety.
They decided children should be granted free travel and are now working to make the move possible.
Councillor Clifft said: "After walking the route with parents and LEA officers, Staffordshire County Council have upheld the appeal meaning children living in Broad Lane will now receive free travel to school.
"It is very good news, a really positive result."
The designated walking route, which follows Long Lane, New Landywood Lane and Strawberry Lane, had been named a Safe Route To School.
But parents argued it was anything but, highlighting the national speed limit and lack of lighting.
They also said the alternative of paying for school bus fares was not an option for some families.
Councillor Clifft said: "Three miles is quite a long way to walk and if they can't get free travel then they have to buy a pass for the year that costs £500." He added: "It's not as if the bus has to be redirected; it goes past the houses and there are seats free."
