Caroline supports Chessington families in school bus campaign

Transport for London have promised to assess the case for a new school bus between Hinchley Wood School and Chessington following a recent meeting with local parents Steve Griffiths and Steph Narramore, Cllr Mary Reid, Ed Davey MP and Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee.

At the meeting held on Wednesday, detailed evidence was presented to Transport for London (TfL) showing that the increase in pupils attending the school from Chessington clearly justifies a dedicated school bus. Using a map showing where pupils live, evidence was shown that already about 140 pupils of Hinchley Wood School come from homes in the area. Pupils can only get to the school by bus using the 71 followed by the K3 which takes about an hour, and both buses are already pretty full at peak hours.

Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
“The parents from Chessington and Hook have really done their homework. The busy A309 is not suitable for school children to be walking along with cars speeding at 50 miles per hour and there is no direct bus route. Local parents have powerfully demonstrated that there is a very strong case for Transport for London to provide a dedicated bus between the school and Hook Road. The meeting was really constructive and I am delighted that Transport for London is assessing the case in August.

“The case for the school bus is not just about pupil numbers, but also because there is no safe route for pupils to walk to the school. It is simply unacceptable for parents to face the choice of their children either having to face a long and dangerous walk to school, or alternatively being driven to school, adding to congestion on the roads.”

Photo: Ed Davey MP, Steve Griffiths & Steph Narramore (both parents of pupils from Wood School), Councillor Mary Reid of Chessington North and Hook Ward and Caroline Pidgeon AM