SEVEN free dedicated bus services have been announced to take students to Warrington & Vale Royal College.

From September next year, a new route will start in Lymm, and pass through Grappenhall and Thelwall.

A spokesman said: "As a firm believer that transportation costs should not disable young people from studying at their first-choice education provider, the college has significantly expanded its free transport options over the last three years, making it easier than ever before for students to get to college.

"Welcoming thousands of school leavers to study with them every year, the college already operates several services across various regions in the North West including Warrington, Winsford, Wigan, Greater Manchester, Northwich, Haydock, and new for this year, Runcorn.

"As a result of growing interest from Year 11 pupils in areas further afield, the college is now set to extend its reach even further in September 2024, launching a brand-new bus route starting in Lymm, which passes through Grappenhall and Thelwall.

"Additionally, the college is enhancing one of its existing services by incorporating extra stops in St Helens and Widnes.

These developments now mean that students from the following areas will be able to travel to the college’s Warrington campus on Winwick Road for free:

• Irlam, Glazebrook, Culcheth, Birchwood, Fearnhead, Padgate (WVR 1)

• Winsford, Weaverham, Hartford (WVR 2)

• Leigh, Lowton, Golborne, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Haydock, Newton-le-Willows (WVR 3)

• St Helens, Widnes, Penketh, Great Sankey, Westbrook, Chapelford, Hood Manor, Bewsey (WVR 4)

• Northwich, Barnton (WVR 5)

• Brookvale, Heath, Runcorn Old Town, Halton Lodge, Sandymoor, Latchford (WVR 6)

• Lymm, Grappenhall, Thelwall, Latchford (WVR 7)

The buses are reserved for the college’s full-time, 16-18-year-old students only, collecting them before classes start in the morning and dropping them back home at the end of the day. 

Warrington & Vale Royal College is currently processing hundreds of school leaver course applications and bus registrations for future students starting in September 2024. To apply for a course and register for one of the college’s free bus services, visit: wvr.ac.uk For full terms & conditions of the college’s free transport, please visit: wvr.ac.uk/bus