Free school buses reinstated amid safety concerns
BBCA council accused of putting money before children's safety by scrapping free school buses is to reinstate all services.
Cumberland Council was due to end services on four routes in Cumbria from September having said it was following national guidance by identifying a "safe walking route" that pupils could use, while paid-for public transport was also available.
Parents hit out at the move and warned many youngsters would face long and potentially unsafe walks.
The authority said it was now acknowledging "the concerns raised by families" and all services would remain in place.
Among those set to have been affected were children from Great Clifton who attended Workington Academy two miles (3.2km) away.
The route put forward by the council for walking was next to a busy road and had little or no lighting, opponents said.
Holly Fox said her daughter Connie faced a 45-minute walk.
"I don't see how the council can deem it safe," she told the BBC.
Parish councillor Peter Gaston said: "Are they putting money before the safety of school children? The answer is yes."
'Rash' decision
Youngsters in the Kells area of Whitehaven were also going to lose free bus transport.
Rachelle Madrick said her son Flynn would either have had to catch two paid-for buses to get to St Benedict's Catholic High School or face a walk of more than three miles (4.8km), which was "impossible" due to health issues.
She branded the council's original decision to scrap the service "rash".
"We're relieved they've changed their mind," Ms Madrick said, adding: "It would've had a huge impact.
"Both secondary schools - St Benedict's and Whitehaven Academy - are on the other side of town to the Kells and Bransty areas, and the public buses aren't reliable.
"Expecting children from the age of 11 to walk six miles to school and back every day is too much and it wouldn't have been safe crossing the A595."
'Priority is safety'
The council provides free travel on just over 600 routes, with the figure including services for coaches for dozens of pupils as well as vehicles for single children.
In a statement, it said it had undertaken a review of walking routes to schools to "ensure our free school transport provision remains fair, consistent, and based on current criteria for need and entitlement, in line with national guidance".
However, it added: "We acknowledge the concerns raised by families regarding the outcomes of the reassessment of walking routes.
"As a result, current provision will remain in place on all [four] affected routes at this time.
"Our priority continues to be the safety of children and young people, and we are committed to working openly with families and community representatives."