school bus pass

[winnerlili]

can any one help, my son is due to start secondary school in sep 10, and I recently applied for free bus pass on distance criteria over age 8 and 3 miles or more distance, however I have had my reply back stating it is unsuccessful and that the mileage they have estimated 1.77 Miles, however each time I have googled and AA route finder the shortest safest walking distance is 3.1 miles again over the 3 mile threshold., I have been informed by my local council that they use a GEO data GPS used for land registry and planning permission purposes, and that this includes alley ways and paths etc, however do they take in to account that most of the alley ways have alley gates on them and that pathways are closed off etc. any suggestions to mount my appeal. angry

Basically, you will need to 'walk' the route they stipulate. Then write down every place that you can't gain access.

The same happened to my cousin. The council used a route that included a footpath, which brought him (just) under the required distance. His father appealed on the basis that the footpath was blocked by a gate. The adjusted route qualified him for a pass.

Also, if they are using unlit alleys, etc., I think you should challenge on H&S grounds.

I am not sure that you can challenge the use of alleys etc on H&S grounds.

In our LA, the route they 'suggested' when I was at secondary school, included a walk along a long, unlit alleyway which had been the site of several attacks on women, and even a murder of a young man. When my mum queried it, she was told that my safety was not the concern of the council and if my mum did not want me to use the alley, she would either have to pay my bus fares herself or choose a different school for me.

I agree though, that you should actually be able to access their suggested route and therefore, as lougle suggests, walk the rout yourself and take photographs of any part of it that is blocked by locked gates etc.