Disabled pupils left at bus stops
DISABLED children in Southport were left with no way of getting to school on the first day back after the summer holidays.
Children from schools across the town were left waiting after their usual school buses failed to show up on Monday morning.
Sefton Council has apologised to angry parents for the situation.
Many parents had to drive their children to school after the no-show, as well as pick them up in the afternoon.
Caroline Bishop, whose 16-year-old son Aaron was left waiting for a bus to get him to Merefield School in Ainsdale, said: “It’s disgusting and disgraceful.
“This is a special needs school, Aaron has cerebral palsy. These kids want their independence.
“Aaron was looking forward to seeing his friends again but 9am came and went with no sign of the bus.
“I had to drive him to school to find there were many other parents who were in the same situation.
“It’s not acceptable for something like this to happen.”
The council could not confirm the number of children left waiting, but a spokesman said it was a “small” number.
It is understood a new transport company was hired to run school buses this term.
A Sefton Council statement said: “Unfortunately, there were a few problems regarding pick ups and drops offs for the start of the new term.
“While this is very disappointing, we are working hard to solve the problem and apologise to parents and pupils for any inconvenience this may have caused.”
Tracy Magee, whose six-year-old son goes to Our Lady Of Lourdes primary school in Southport, said her son and four other children were also left stranded.
She said: “I am absolutely astounded that this has happened.
“This group of children have been travelling to school together for two years; they all have autism and associated issues.
“This disruption to routine is an issue itself, but it is a disgrace that our children have been failed, again.”