2009/9/8 Hazel Smith <hazel.smith at miltonvillage.org.uk> > The best reference I have found for the current law is > > www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/schooltravel/localauthorities/increasingbususeforjourneyst5743?page > > This explains the national position. Our bus is a discretionary one > provided free by the local authority because the Butt Lane route is not > safe for an accompanied child to walk along. > > I think you mean "statutory" rather than "discretionary". LEAs are required to provide free transport to under 16s if the route is unsafe for an accompanied child to walk. It seems clear from those DoT guidelines that the new route would be "safe" according to their criteria. I also checked whether any part of the village is outside the three mile radius. The east end of Fen Road is close, but I think even that is just less than three miles. It does seem crazy that we would prefer our route to Histon to remain less safe. -- Stephen Turner