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

1. Summary

1.1 A parent has appealed, on road safety grounds, against the refusal to provide free transport from Sway Road to Priestlands School.

2. Background

2.1 In 1997 the parents of two children living on Sway Road, about half a mile east of the Wheel Inn crossroads, appealed on safety grounds against the County Council's refusal to provide free transport to Priestlands (secondary) School. The School Transport Appeals Panel concluded, on 27 November 1997, after walking the route via Ramley Road, that it is available for secondary school age children to walk unaccompanied.

2.2 Another parent, living slightly closer to the Wheel Inn, has recently appealed similarly.

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 From the appellant's house, a pavement exists on the south side of Sway Road, continuing on the north side as it approaches the Wheel Inn crossroads.

3.4 It is understood that the parents' concern centres on the section of Ramley Road from the Wheel Inn to the junction of Upper Common Road. This section of Ramley Road has no pavement. The road is some 18 feet wide, has a 40 mph speed limit and offers reasonable sight lines. For much of the distance, verges offer good stepping-off points for pedestrians.

3.5 From the junction of Upper Common Road, good pavements are provided along Ramley Road to The Square. A separate footpath is provided from Priestlands Road, behind the houses in North Street, into the school grounds.

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 2.12 and 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 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.

9394/AB