A ROW has broken out over a last-minute announcement from Milford Haven School that children living in The Fairways, Hakin will no longer be able to get free transport to and from school.
The school posted a message on Facebook on Monday (Sept 5) explaining that a cut in the number of buses meant that there was no longer space for pupils living just inside the three-mile statutory limit for provision of free school transport.
The school posted as follows: “Parents and guardians are asked to be aware of a change to bus travel arrangements from the Fairways, Dale Road, to Milford Haven School.
“Previously two buses would travel from Dale and St Ishmaels to Milford Haven School which had capacity to also pick up from Fairways.
“Now just one bus will be travelling from Dale and St Ishmaels with no spare capacity to pick up at Fairways.
“Fairways is within the statutory three miles of Milford Haven School so pupils are not eligible for free school transport.
“Pupils have previously been using concessionary passes while there were spare seats available.
“It has not been possible to issue concessionary passes this term.
“Many pupils from Fairways and the Hakin/Hubberston areas already utilise the service buses to get to school, currently £1 each way.
“The Council has arranged for the 318 service to pick up from Fairways at 8:07am and this drops pupils off inside the school grounds.
“This is also available for the afternoon.
“Other routes serving the area are the 302, and 315. Further details can be found online.”
Parents weren’t happy and took to commenting on Milford Haven School’s post.
Siân Thomson said: “Very short notice from PCC regarding this, it would have been beneficial for families to have been told this at the start of the summer holidays so we could have at least been prepared for it.
“As of tomorrow, I will have three children attending this school, the service bus would cost us £120 a month so it was quite a shock to receive the letter after the last few years of my children using the other bus with no issues.
“Also, an hour walk each way for children is very unrealistic too especially over autumn and winter.
“A real shame that this has been taken away.”
Nigel Williams wrote: “Will teachers be able to supply work at home as I cannot afford this and walking 2.8 miles in dark and rain before and after school is ridiculous.
“So, my daughter won’t be attending on bad weather days. I have called the school and asked but nobody has got back to me yet. Very poor planning from PCC getting a letter a few of days before the start of term.”
Steve Camani was concerned about space on the service bus. He said: “There’s about an extra 20 to 25 pupils there will be no space on the service bus… it was packed enough before this!
Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language has been contacted for a comment.
