Written evidence from J Powers (BUS 131)
Can I take this opportunity to make you aware of
the situation have found ourselves in because of the Government
cuts which have lead to the withdrawal of bus services to the
rural village in which we live.
We live in Elwick Village which is on the outskirts
of Hartlepool, which is in the region of four miles from the nearest
sixth form college, with no footpaths out of the village. Because
of this when my daughter began college she was given a bus pass
which didn't go directly to the college, but did get her into
the vicinity, she was then able to walk the remainder of the way
which wasn't ideal but meant that she could pursue her further
education. Since the removal of the bus service my daughter now
has NO way of getting to and from college. As we work in Darlington
which is approx. 25 miles away all she can do on an evening when
college closes is walk to the nearest shopping centre and wander
aimlessly until the shops close until we can get there to pick
her up. Considering some days she finishes college at 12.15pm
and we can't get into Hartlepool until 5.30pm it's not surprising
that my daughter is worried about her future. Is she surely not
entitled to the education she deserves? My daughter works very
hard and gets excellent grades and I feel appalled that her future
education is being jeopardised in this way!
At the moment the only way she can even get to college
is because she is allowed to get on the High Tunstall school bus
and walk the remainder of the way to college, but she is only
allowed this provision until July when she will be totally stranded
with no way of finishing her A levels and the education she has
worked so hard for.
My daughter's social life has also been badly affected
as she can no longer meet up with and go out with her friends
who live outside of the village. She had a part time job in town
which she has recently had to give up because of the removal of
the village bus service. Does the Government not want us to bring
up children who want to be educated and work for a living?
I would be very grateful if you could pass on our
worries and concerns to the Transport Select Committee about this
matter and help save the future education of our children.
I look forward to hearing about the outcome and conclusion
of the investigation.
April 2011
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