Archived decisions

Contact: Andy Berncastle, ext 6921 email: [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 The availability of a safe route for children walking from Ewshot to Court Moor School, Fleet has been challenged by a parent.

2. Background

2.1 Children in Ewshot attending Court Moor School receive free transport only if they live more than three miles from school. Court Moor School provides secondary education, the children are aged 11-16 years.

2.2 One parent of a Court Moor student from Ewshot, living within the three-mile distance, has challenged the safety of walking via either Ewshot Lane or Tadpole Lane and Beacon Hill Road. Correspondence is attached (confidential - blue papers), together with a map (Appendix 2).

2.3 The route via Tadpole Lane and Beacon Hill Road is not considered suitable for children walking to school, principally due to the hilly and twisty nature of Tadpole Lane. The lane has no footpath and visibility is limited by high banks and hedges. However, this route has been used to determine entitlement under the `three mile' rule. This places the three mile point at the junction of Broomhill with Church Lane in Ewshot, so children living nearer the school do not receive free transport. Children may walk or parents have the options of taking or accompanying children to school, promoting cycling or paying for a seat on the County Council's school transport from Broomhill, currently £32.00 per month.

2.4 The alternative route, via Ewshot Lane, also has no footpath from Ewshot until reaching Humphrey Park, 1.4 miles from the junction of Broomhill with Church Lane.

2.5 Children from the Gables Road area have been observed walking to Court Moor school via Gally Hill Road, Cranford Avenue and though a short (120 metres) section of thin woodland to Greenways and Forest End, to access the gate onto the school playing fields. Using this route, the distance from the junction of Broomhill with Church Lane is some 2.6 miles, so fewer children would qualify for free transport as the three mile point would be further from the school.

3. The Appeal

3.1 The shorter walking route now proposed as available is highlighted and marked by square symbols on the map (Appendix 2).

3.2 The principal concern appears to relate to the section of Ewshot Lane with no footpath. This is some 8-9 feet wide in places. Visibility varies but is generally better than on Tadpole Lane.

3.3 The safety of pedestrians depends on the speed and volume of traffic as well as the physical characteristics of the route. Fewer than five vehicles were encountered when walking the section with no footpath at the relevant time of day on an inspection in June 2001. On 19 January 2006 nine vehicles passed in 24 minutes, between 07:21 and 07:45.

3.4 Given the present starting time of Court Moor School at 08:30, it would be necessary for a child walking three miles at a reasonable pace of three miles per hour to start walking in the dark in December and January.

4. Conclusion

4.1 Officers consider that an available walking route exists between Ewshot and Court Moor School as shown by square symbols and highlighted on the map (Appendix 2). Members will have had the opportunity to inspect this. 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 2.12 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 Children's Services Department would be given to any representations by parents or carers who are unable to accompany their children by virtue of individual circumstances.

9358/AB