Parents to ‘go slow’ in bus campaign

Oct 19 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

HUNDREDS of parents are expected to take part in a “go slow” drive across West Wirral this morning to continue to pressure for improved school bus services.

They remain furious over a council decision earlier this year to slash funding for buses taking children to West Wirral’s grammar schools, putting up fares by 60%.

Despite a deal struck by council leaders and Merseytravel to provide a bus service – and possibly even rebate those parents who have paid out extra – organ- isers say they will press ahead with the protest.

Esther McVey, the prospective Conservative candidate for West Wirral and a governor of Calday Grange Grammar, said they want to keep up the pressure on the council and Merseytravel to make sure the situation is resolved permanently.

She said: “So far it looks like Parent Power might be working and the council appears to be listening.

“However, the slow drive is to demonstrate the wider effect such a withdrawal of the bus subsidy has on the community as a whole.

“The cars will travel along the A540 from Heswall to West Kirby, the route many parents face driving their children.”

Ms McVey said they had chosen the time as “we will be less likely to inconvenience many drivers”.

The problem arose because there was no commercial bus route for use by children from West Wirral attending the two grammar schools.

The go-slow is due to take place today, with parents meeting at 9.15am at the Glegg Arms, in Heswall.