Archived decisions

Contact: Andy Berncastle, ext 6389 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 Concerns have been raised about the safety of the route for pedestrians between Micheldever Station and Micheldever Primary School. Members will inspect the route on the morning of 22 September 2005 and then consider the appeal.

2. Background

2.1 Micheldever Primary School is situated in the centre of Micheldever. Its catchment area includes the hamlet of Micheldever Station, some 2.6 miles to the north.

2.2 As the distance is over two miles but under three miles, children qualify for free transport from Micheldever Station until the end of Year 3, ie the July following their eighth birthday. In years 4, 5 and 6 they are able to travel on the school contract coach on payment of a `privilege' charge, currently £32/month.

2.3 Prior to September 1995, free transport was provided for all primary-age children from Micheldever Station to Micheldever Primary School, as the County Council's then policy was more generous than required by law. Withdrawal of free transport for the older children was challenged by parents at Micheldever Station but an Appeal Panel on 12 March 1996 concluded, following a site visit in February 1996, that the route is available as a walking route.

2.4 In 2004 several parents again questioned the safety of the route for children walking to school. An officer walked the route at the relevant time in the morning in November 2004 and concluded that circumstances had not changed materially since the 1996 Panel decision.

2.5 Parents have appealed against that decision and hence the matter is now referred for inspection and consideration by Members.

3. The Appeal

3.1 The route has to be considered against the normal criteria (Appendix 1). Appendix 2 shows the route.

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

3.3 The route runs mostly through open countryside. Almost all of the route has no pavement, and most of the distance is subject to the national speed limit. The inspection in November 2004 found 71 cars passing in 47 minutes. In the open areas of the route, traffic passes at 40-50 miles per hour and it is prudent for pedestrians to cross to the outside of several bends, to maximise visibility.

4. Conclusion

4.1 Members will have had the opportunity to inspect 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 paragraph 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.

4.3 If the answer to (ii) is yes, separate consideration by the Education Department would be given to any representations by parents or carers who are unable to accompany their children by virtue of individual circumstances.

9306/AB