Following pressure from local parents, the Warton Bus Action Group and Member of Parliament Craig Tracey, the County Council have announced that the Polesworth school bus will not be charged until after the 2016-17 school year has ended.
Education Portfolio Holder at Warwickshire County Council stated that:
'There will be no charges for the bus from Warton to Polesworth school for the school year 2016-17. This result has been largely due to the representation Craig Tracey MP has made to Warwickshire County Council officers and myself.'
North Warwickshire MP Craig Tracey commented:
“I am pleased that the bus will run as normal with no charge for the next school year. I know that Warton parents will be relieved by the decision from the County Council. I would like to pay tribute to the Warton Bus action group & especially Lynn Prestage who gave evidence at the council meeting.
“Obviously the question marks over the safety of the route remain and I will continue to work with parents and the County Council over this issue.”
Earlier that day The local MP had made representations to a Minister of Education on behalf of parents of students in the village of Warton, following changes to a school bus service.
Craig Tracey MP commented:
“I am continuing this fight because quite simply the route that students are being asked to walk is dangerous.”
The local MP continued:
“I met with Education Minister Nick Gibb, which follows on from my meeting last week with the Transport Minister to see if there is anything that can be done to support local families in Warton who have children that attend Polesworth School.”
Mr Tracey went into the meeting armed with correspondence from local families, the County Council and photographs and extensive details of the route – showing flooding of the pathway students are now expected to walk for an hour each journey.
Craig explained:
“The Minister appeared concerned over the lack of street lighting, flooding risk and state of the pathways, however, he stated that ultimately this is a local issue with the remit falling to the County Council. The Minister will however write to the County Council regarding the parent’s rights to appeal the decision and the phasing in the changes – both of which fall under best practice guidelines.
“I am working towards a common sense solution to this issue and will continue to liaise with families in Warton.”