Residents of Llysfaen appeared in large numbers at a public meeting chaired by Clwyd West MS Darren Millar last Thursday, to discuss concerns about the plans to axe home to school transport between the village and Ysgol Bryn Elian in Old Colwyn.
 
Under the plans, announced by Conwy County Borough Council in July, around 100 school pupils living in Llysfaen face having to make alternative arrangements to get to school.
 
Present at the meeting, held in Llysfaen Village Hall, were many concerned parents and pupils, along with other members of the local community. Also in attendance were Cllr Phil Capper, Chair of Governors at Ysgol Bryn Elian, and Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Leader of Conwy County Borough Council.
 
At the meeting, parents expressed concerns about the safety of the alternative travel routes proposed by the Council: while it has deemed these safe, they include country lanes with no pavement, as well as poor street lighting.
 
They will also take more than an hour for children to walk, while further hazards are presented by Llysfaen’s elevation, which often leaves it subject to poor weather.
 
Parents’ concerns were backed up by a local health and safety expert, who also expressed concerns at the local authority’s assessment of the travel routes.
 
Meanwhile, Arriva, which runs local bus services, has indicated that it does not have the capacity to take those affected to and from school.
 
Speaking after the meeting, Darren said:
 
“I was very glad to see such strong attendance from people across the Llysfaen community at Thursday’s meeting, and to see residents united in opposition to this flawed decision by the Council.
 
“It’s simply not reasonable to make parents decide whether to give up time or money to provide alternative transport, or tell their children to spend over an hour walking to school on hazardous routes.
 
“Following this meeting, I trust that the council will now better appreciate that local concerns are both deep and widespread.”
 
Darren also added:
 
“The Welsh Government is currently reviewing Wales-wide home to school transport guidance, and so I have called for the Council’s decision to be postponed until after an independent review of the routes, and the publication of new guidance.”
 
Darren had previously spoken out against the withdrawal plans when they were first announced by the local authority.