July 18, 2024 - 1279 views
Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has urged Conwy County Borough Council to reconsider its decision to withdraw free home to school transport for children in Llysfaen.
The cut, announced by the Council last week, will leave scores of pupils attending Old Colwyn’s Ysgol Bryn Elian having to find alternative travel arrangements from September.
Commenting on the Council’s decision, Mr. Millar said: “Plans to axe this home to school transport are totally unacceptable, and will pose a significant challenge to local families.
“Many will be left struggling to find and fund alternative arrangements, particularly given the lack of capacity of local bus services.
“The route between Llysfaen and Ysgol Bryn Elian is not straight forward and poses hazards, particularly in inclement weather given the topography of the route, and lack of a pedestrian crossing on Llanelian Road.
“While I appreciate the local authority is having to consider the budget implications of home to school transport arrangements, this is clearly the wrong decision.
“I have made representations to the local authority to urge them to urgently rethink their decision.”
Cllr Julie Fallon, Cabinet Member for Education, said:
“We’ve written to the parents/carers whose children currently receive free transport on this route to let them know that from September 2024 we will no longer be able to provide the service and that it will be parental responsibility to ensure children travel to and from school safely.
“Pupils currently receiving statutory home to school transport are not affected by this change.”
