Lilleshall school bus service axed

Wednesday 7th September 2011, 3:50PM BST.

A primary school bus service in Telford was axed just two days before the start of the new term.

Angry parents at Lilleshall Primary School received letters from Telford & Wrekin Council informing them the bus, used by more than 30 pupils on every journey, would not be running from today.

They say the late notice has given them no time to find alternative transport and will lead to increased traffic.

The service was originally provided by AT Brown who pulled out in July claiming it was not cost effective. The council had pledged to cover the route through the winter.

Carol Smith, 42, of Trench Road, Trench, whose two children Noah, nine, and Merrie, five, attend the school, said: “We’ve been thrown into total chaos. We were given no notice. It’s going to cause massive traffic problems in Lilleshall.”

Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman Russell Griffin said: “Following a short period of consultation at the beginning of the summer holidays, the decision was made to cease the bus service for non-eligible pupils as there was insufficient interest from parents.”

View more: Lilleshall news, Telford & Wrekin Council news.

1
Helen

September 8, 2011 at 09:32

To say there was insufficient interest from parents is rather inaccurate. I really depended on that bus and very much wanted it to continue but because they sent the consultation letters out at the beginning of school holidays when we were away on holiday I was unable to respond to the consultation. I expect the same is the case for many other parents. That bus service was really well used every day and I for one will no longer be able to get to work on time, I would willingly pay a lot more for the service but was given insufficient opportunity to reply to the ‘consultation’.

Report abuse
2
Mum of One

September 8, 2011 at 13:58

Well said – I too thought the comment from TWC was very conveniently misleading. There was a huge amount of interest from parents – both in the actual bus service and in the half-cocked ‘consultation’. Like Helen said, the initial letters from the Council didn’t go out until after the start of the summer holidays and therefore anyone on holiday would have missed the short consultation period. So do TWC think they can tick the ‘consulted with service users’ box, shut down a vital service and move on ? They’ve got more of a fight on their hands than they think.

Report abuse