It's up to you to save bus route (From Warrington Guardian)

It's up to you to save bus route

PARENTS are the last hope for campaigners protesting against a new route to school from Davenham and Moulton.

Moulton Parish Council has exhausted all the avenues it can take to object against the route to the County High School, Leftwich - despite parents' fears about its safety.

Councillors now say it is down to individual parents and carers to contact the Local Government Ombudsman about the way Cheshire County Council made its decision to cut the free bus service and designate a 'safe' route.

Speaking at the January meeting of Moulton Parish Council, clerk Elaine Beach said: "The parish council chairman has been in touch with the ombudsman but, as a parish council, the ombudsman can't consider our case.

"Individuals, however, have the right to approach the ombudsman if they believe the county council has not considered the decision appropriately."

Schoolchildren have the choice of walking to school or using a paid for bus service, which costs 55p for a single from Moulton, since the county council cut the free service at the end of term in December.

Parents have expressed concerns about the safety of the route, which includes a shared cycle and pedestrian lane alongside the A556, as there are no barriers to stop children from stepping into the flow of 70mph traffic.

County councillor Shirley Harris, who was at the parish council meeting, said parents who did not feel the route was safe enough but could not afford to pay for a bus were entitled to help.

She said: "If cost is an issue, there is an appeal system in place and bus fares are subsidised by the county council."