Protest Held Against Rhondda Cynon Taf Councillors School Transport Cuts

Above image, new RCT Council offices Llys Cadwyn contract cost £38,373,496.52

Tina Collins is campaigning to get the plans reversed and help the children in the area get to school Rhondda Cynon Taf Save the School Transport Group held a public protest outside the new council offices in Pontypridd yesterday to challenge the Labour councillors who voted to reduce school transport services. Despite calls to reconsider, councillors continued to follow the party line, pushing through cuts that disproportionately impact local children.

Forcing children to walk up to 3 miles to school is particularly concerning in Rhondda Cynon Taf, where the local geography and weather pose severe challenges:

Unpredictable Weather: Rhondda Cynon Taf experiences frequent rain, with humidity levels often reaching 90-98%. Children walking these distances would be exposed to harsh and wet conditions regularly.
Poor Visibility: During winter, dark mornings and evenings make it harder for drivers to see children walking to school, increasing the risk of accidents.
Road Safety: Crossing busy roads in such conditions, particularly in low light, is hazardous, especially for younger students.
Excessive Distance: Walking 3 miles is a significant physical challenge for young children, leading to fatigue and reduced concentration in school.
Loss of Time: A walk of this distance could take 45 minutes to an hour each way, stretching the school day and cutting into study time and extracurricular activities.
Difficult Terrain: The hilly, valley-based terrain of Rhondda Cynon Taf adds further difficulty to these walks, especially in poor weather.
Health Risks: Prolonged exposure to rain and cold puts children at higher risk of illness.
Personal Safety: Long walks in isolated areas, particularly during dark mornings or evenings, raise concerns for personal safety.
Carrying Heavy Bags: With students often carrying large backpacks, walking 3 miles daily becomes even more of a strain.

Given these conditions, the decision to cut school transport appears reckless, particularly in light of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008, which was designed to ensure safe and accessible transport for students.

School leaders have expressed concerns that pupils eligible for free school meals, who often live within this 3-mile radius, are less likely to attend school regularly during rainy or darker months. Headteachers have consistently reported to inspectors that cutting school transport leads to a drop in attendance, yet this does not seem to have raised concerns among Rhondda Cynon Taf’s local headteachers.

The hypocrisy of the RCT Labour Council’s decision is striking. The Council claims it lacks the funds to maintain a school transport service, but has no issue providing a £1 bus fare scheme during certain months of the year, including the school summer holidays. This is subsidized through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, a scheme designed to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis. However, by cutting school transport, the Council is effectively adding to the financial strain of many families, especially those in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

Andrew Morgan, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, proudly promotes the £1 bus fare, yet the Council seems to prioritize subsidizing bus rides for tourists and casual travellers over ensuring safe school transport for local children. This approach seems more geared towards electoral gain than addressing the real concerns of residents.

The recent report by the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, published in March 2024, highlighted the increasing challenges children across Wales face in simply accessing their right to education. The commissioner noted that, despite government promises, there has been little progress in addressing the persistent transport issues affecting school children. In the context of a cost-of-living crisis and declining school attendance rates, cutting vital school transport services is both short-sighted and harmful.

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales’ response to ‘Learner travel in Wales: analysis and evaluation: recommendations report December 2023’ which was published on 14 March 2024

Estyn

A particular challenge was the fact that pupils are only eligible for free transport if
they live beyond a three-mile radius. School leaders had identified, that during
months where there is increased rainfall and darker mornings and evenings,
pupils who usually walk to school, especially those who are eligible for free
school meals generally did not attend as often.

Learner Travel (Wales) Measure (2008) review 2021

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/article