Letter: Withdrawal of Free School Bus Passes Leaves a Quagmire

Published on: 23 Feb, 2025
Updated on: 23 Feb, 2025

Designated safe walking route to Howard of Effingham School

From: Andrew Franklin

parish councillor at East Horsley Parish Council

If you find yourself reading the following sentence a second time after looking at the image to the right, you are unlikely to be alone.

What you see is a picture taken in the middle of Great Ridings Wood that authorities have recently designated as a safe walking route between East Horsley and the Howard of Effingham School following the decision to withdraw free bus passes to those who currently receive them. Disbelieving and dismayed parents are now seeking urgent talks with Surrey County Council to request a rethink.

Students, some walking alone, are now facing the prospect from September of stumbling through quagmires – and in half-light come wintertime.

Aside from deplorable underfoot conditions, there is the potential threat to personal safety in such an isolated location. And should injury occur, access to the stricken by emergency services will be extremely difficult.

If you are the parent of a youngster who may be expected to travel this route, you are invited to register concerns you may have to parishcouncil@easthorsleypc.org and these will be forwarded to SCC.

Share This Post