Please provide the following information regarding the changes to the school transport routes BR002 and BR003.
1) How was the decision made to select those who have been moved to a different school bus route, as we are aware others in stops close by have not been changed?
Devon County Council (DCC) liaised with the contractor about who would be best suited to be transferred over from BR003 to the BR002.
It was established that some of the single pick-up points along the B3230 and the Muddiford Inn stop would be best suited for the smaller vehicle. This considered route/road safety as well as accessibility.
2) Why is the bus size not able to be increased on route BR003? If a larger bus can not travel through Heanton (I believe it used to), why can the bus not travel via Barnstaple?
After reviewing the options with our contractor, it was deemed that the route that would be used to get to the school would not accommodate a larger vehicle safely.
We appreciate that may have been the route years ago but over time landscapes and health and safety requirements do change, as such we have to adhere to the current operators’ recommendations that are based on the current landscape that presents itself to the driver.
3) Why has it not been considered to collect children else where on the route with later collection times slightly earlier so as not to just choose and make the early ones even earlier?
This timing change was calculated by the contractor and their driver to ensure all of the student are on transport for minimum time where possible, the route remains under the 45-minute mark that a primary aged student is allowed to be on transport one way to school.
4) Has any consideration been taken for the young people’s welfare who have been moved routes?
Special consideration would not be given unless a child has an EHCP. Also the route can change for any type of reason at any time such as for road closures.
As per the allocation letter, ‘’From time-to-time DCC may need to review transport arrangements to accommodate new passengers on the route or improve contract arrangements. Your child’s journey may be subjected to changes at short notice and without consultation. Where possible we will notify you of these changes.”
5) Has Braunton Academy been consulted?
No, we have no requirements to consult with schools over transport arrangements.
6) Are children who live out of catchment accessing this bus but being dropped to in catchment collection points, how is this checked annually to ensure that young people who really need the bus can have access to it rather than just when applying for a bus pass when starting the school?
We rely on up-to-date information from both parents and schools whenever a student(s) moves. There still might be transport entitlement from their new home. Those from spilt families we seek information relating to any benefits they are in receipt of from the HMRC as the address would be classed as the child(ren)s main home address.
7) We would also like to know what route the BR002 takes please?
Please see this map of the route.