Following the recent extreme weather residents in the West of the County are demanding that the Council finally agree to start gritting school routes in their area.
Heather Kidd, said:
“This is a long running dispute with Shropshire Council about gritting routes taken by school minibuses in bad weather. Areas like the Lordstone and Gravels Bank near Bentlawnt are used by up to three minibuses taking children to school (in Bishops Castle, Minsterley and Worthen) most weekdays. These roads are in steep hilly areas where the roads quickly get treacherous in snow and ice.
“Since 2009 Shropshire Council has repeatedly refused to treat these roads despite pressure from residents, the parish council, school governors and myself. It really is an accident waiting to happen. We’ve already had two accidents in December on one of these stretches, how long before one of these minibuses skids?
“The Lordstone now takes all Hope School Children to school in Worthen since their school was shut. The road has been resurfaced and is very smooth with no grip. In the ice it is a skating rink.”
“Gravels Bank has been difficult for years even under the old County Council. We have 3 mini buses serving 3 schools and taxi’s facing very difficult and dangerous journeys in cold weather.
“Children in Priest Weston have regularly missed a weeks educations in severe weather as the buses simply cannot safely get in and out.”
Heather and local residents and parents have been lobbying the Council hard on this issue. “I know the Councils finances are being squeezed but surely the safety of children must be a priority” concluded Heather. “I am asking the Council to review older gritting routes and make these school bus routes a priority now.
Notes.
Shropshire County Council stopped gritting these routes and unitary Shropshire Council refused to change that policy.
Parents from the Hope and Bent Lawnt area have banded together to lobby the Council. They are supported by the Parish Council and Governing bodies.
Heather Kidd has been campaigning on this since 2009 and with renewed vigour when Hope School pupils were moved down to Worthen recently.