Pupils could be stranded in bus timetable switch

FEARS have been raised that children living in villages could be left stranded in Cheadle after school time.

First Potteries has announced that the half-hour service, which runs between Hanley and Cheadle, is to be amended to a one-hour service at the end of this month.

The problem was highlighted at last week’s monthly meeting of Kingsley Parish Council as children in Kingsley and Kingsley Holt have passes to use the transport.

Councillor Ivor Lucas said: “Staffordshire County Council came to a meeting some time ago and said that each child would have to go to school on a First bus. The children were given passes.

“First Potteries is a private company and they have a choice and they do not have to tell anyone.

“We must now write and ask the county council about the bus passes or they will be allowed to get away with it.”

Councillor James Aberley said the new times only give youngsters five minutes to get out of school and to the bus stop.

He said: “If the youngsters miss this bus they will have to wait in Cheadle. This is underhand, the way it has been done and is totally shocking.”

Councillor Martyn Hordern said that First Potteries must be reminded about getting children to school and back.

He said: “Who pays First Bus to transport the children? There are between 20 and 30 students on the bus, and the company are being paid for it. We have had a good relationship with the bus company over the parking issue in Holt Lane, but I am disappointed that we have not been consulted over the new times.”

Councillor David Fowler said that safeguarding was a big issue now and that youngsters could be left in Cheadle for some time.

He said: “This council has not been consulted on the issue. Staffordshire County Council should now come to a parish council meeting. There is the problem of financing and the lack of consultation.”

Councillor Sean Flynn said it was ‘ludicrous’ for children to be in Cheadle for up to an hour.

He said: “We have to send strong representations as 11-years-olds could be stranded in Cheadle for a long time which is ludicrous. We should write to the child protection unit for a view.”

Councillors agreed to write to Staffordshire County Council and First Potteries over the issue.

Dan Flanagan, operations manager for First Potteries said: “Our new timetable has been designed around how customers are using the service.

“Local authorities had a four-week consultation period to raise any issues with local parish councils and, in this case, schools, to determine if further considerations need to be made,

“We received no communication from Staffordshire County Council on this occasion.

“Our team have taken great care putting the new timetable together, but we have checked with the opening times for Cheadle Academy and believe the new timetables will still be suitable for pupils.”