Safety of children walking to Codsall High School

Dear Councillor James

I refer to the petition, signed by local residents regarding the safety of children walking to Codsall High School. I can advise you that receipt of the petition will be reported to Cllr Philip White, Cabinet Member for Learning and Employability.

Staffordshire operates a two stage review and appeal process for home to school travel decisions. A stage 1 review of the walking route was carried out recently and assessed as available for a pupil accompanied as necessary. Since them, a request for a stage 2 appeal has since been submitted and the reviewing officer will make arrangements for the route assessment to be reviewed, with a final decision by 21 December.

The increase in cost of transport for non-entitled pupils travelling between Perton and Codsall High, was the result of changes to the local bus services connecting Pattingham, Perton and Codsall. Arriva served notice on these services in April 2018, and at that time there was no interest from other bus operators to run services in this area on a commercial basis. The county council felt it was important to retain a level of connectivity fort local residents in Pattingham and Perton, and as such undertook a procurement exercise to replace some of the service that had been lost.

As a result of these changes to the local bus network there is no longer a local service bus operating between Perton and Codsall High for non-entitled pupils to use to travel to and from school, and therefore the option to pay a daily commercial fare set by the operator no longer exists. The county council do not have a statutory obligation to provide transport for non-entitled pupils, however where there are contracted home to school vehicle with spare seats available, we do offer the option to purchase a vacant seat pass. The cost of a vacant seat for non-entitled pupils travelling between Perton and Codsall High is £494 this academic year.

Should you require further information regarding your petition please contact Fiona Coldwell on 01785 278669.

Your Sincerely

Amanda Felton