I have had a number of calls from residents and discussions with other councillors recently regarding the legislation governing free school transport. The limit by which pupils can get free school transport is if they live over three miles from their school. All families living under three miles from their school have to pay a fee of £105 per term, per pupil. There is not even a lower price for families with more than one child.

I have a situation now where two pupils in my ward are expected to walk to Gwernyfed High School because they do not qualify for free school transport. They live 2.917 miles from the school and have no other access to transport.

I understand the need to have limits in place, however I will be questioning the council on this issue as I understand the legislation reads “Measurement of the statutory walking distance is not necessarily the shortest distance by road. It is measured by the shortest route along which a child, accompanied as necessary, can walk with reasonable safety. As such the route measured may include footpaths, bridleways and other pathways, as well as recognised roads. If there is no such route, the LEA must provide free transport no matter what distance you live from the school”

So what constitutes reasonable safety? In this case I certainly question if the route along the main road from Bronllys to Gwernyfed is within “reasonable safety”. With ever increasing traffic and heavy goods vehicles using our road infastructure I as a parent would not allow my children to walk this journey.

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