Archived decisions

Contact: Andy Berncastle, ext 6921 [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Concerns have been raised about the safety of the walking route between Titchfield Park and Henry Cort Community School. Members will inspect the route on the morning of 9 October 2003 and then consider the appeal.

2. Background

2.1 Children in the Titchfield Park area have traditionally qualified for free transport as the walking route via Fishers Hill is considered unacceptable. Part of it has no footpath.

2.2 The construction of Cartwright Drive, opened in October 1998, has created an alternative walking route, via the A27, which brings part of Titchfield Park within three miles of Henry Cort School. Accordingly, notice was given to parents in April 2003 that entitlement to free transport would cease from September 2003. This affected 11 children.

2.3 One family has appealed against this decision, citing particularly the safety of crossing Cartwright Drive.

2.4 More recently, re-measurement of the walking distance from Henry Cort School has established that the three mile limit falls such that a further six children are now not entitled to free transport. Notice was given in July that their entitlement will cease in January 2004.

3 The Appeal

3.1 The route has to be considered against the normal criteria (Appendix 1). Appendix 2 shows the route, which has not previously been considered by any Appeal Panel.

3.2 Correspondence from the appellants is attached as Appendix 3 (confidential).

3.3 The route has footpaths and street lighting throughout. Traffic levels vary but there are three purpose-built crossing facilities for pedestrians on Cartwright Drive.

4. Conclusion

4.1 Members will have had the opportunity to consider the walking route. The County Council's position is that, under the criteria, the walking route is available.

4.2 It is for Members to consider, following the guidance set out in paragraphs 2.11 to 2.13 of Appendix 1:

(i) whether the nature of the route, or an alternative route, means that it is available for children if unaccompanied; and

(ii) if the answer to (i) is no, whether the route is available if accompanied.

8310/AB