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 Avington and Itchen Abbas Primary School. Members will inspect the route on the morning of 28 September 2005 and then consider the appeal.

2. Background

2.1 Itchen Abbas Primary School is situated close to the centre of Itchen Abbas. Its catchment area includes the village of Avington, approximately one mile to the south-west.

2.2 Children under eight years old living closer than two miles from school do not generally qualify for free transport. For children over eight, the distance is three miles.

2.3 In 1995 a review of the previous more generous policy led to the routes to Itchen Abbas Primary School being inspected, as it was proposed to withdraw free transport from several villages, including Avington. Attention focused on the B3047 through Itchen Abbas, particularly the section to the west, where no footpath is provided. It was then concluded, in view of the speed and volume of traffic, that free transport should be continued.

2.4 However, a recent application for free transport for a new child living near Avington caused officers to doubt the justification for free transport from Avington, as the walking route does not involve the section of the B3047 with no footpath.

2.5 The route from Avington was therefore inspected on foot at the relevant time of the morning at the end of June 2005. The conclusion was that the route is available. One term's notice, effective from January 2006, was therefore given to the parents of the children currently entitled to free transport from Avington.

2.6 One of the two families concerned has appealed against this 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. Most of the route has no pavement or footpath and most of the distance is subject to the national speed limit.

3.4 On the section of route from Avington to the war memorial at the junction of the minor road from Avington with the B3047 in Itchen Abbas, only five motor vehicles passed in 20 minutes, when inspected in June 2005. Reasonable sight lines were maintained by crossing to the outside of sharp bends. Taken together with the light traffic, it was considered that this section is available as a walking route for accompanied children.

3.5 Considerably more traffic uses the B3047 through Itchen Abbas. The sight lines near the war memorial mean that it is necessary for pedestrians from Avington walking to school to cross at the dropped kerbs close to the war memorial, but returning from school it is safer to cross further north. The speed and volume of traffic mean that care must be taken but it is considered that this section, together with the unpavemented minor roads to the school itself, are available as a walking route for accompanied children.

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.

9307/AB