Putting our children at risk (From Malvern Gazette)

Putting our children at risk

12:55pm Friday 28th September 2007 in Letters

I'm writing to express my support for Coun Tom Wells' campaign for greater safety on school buses (Malvern Gazette, September 21).

It is quite shocking Worcestershire County Council appears to be so complacent about the personal safety of our school children.

To link this issue with asking parents to ensure their children arrive at their school on time, demonstrates a lack of recognition by the council of the need for them to do much more about home to school transport, and for them to do so in a way that ensures that child safety is paramount and encourages a reduction of cars on the road.

Similarly, the quote from First Buses, "that it can be inconvenient" for children to stand, to me is a totally irresponsible attitude.

It is mandatory for all to wear seat belts in cars and for children to wear seat belts on school trips. Why is it not mandatory for all children to be entitled to a seat and a seat belt on a bus to school?

Safety is very important, so why is it acceptable for school children to be placed at risk by having to stand in overcrowded buses on a journey from Powick to Malvern each day or any other journey to and from school?

I urge families, school governors and teachers to support Coun Wells' campaign for safer school transport and for the authorities to show respect, consistency and due care towards the safety and protection of our children because Every Child Matters.

Coun Christine Wild, Croftdown Court, Great Malvern.