Norfolk County Council is continuing to press Government for action after being told no additional funding will be made available to help local authorities and transport operators meet rising home-to-school transport costs.
Earlier this month, Tom Dickerson, cabinet member for highways and transport, wrote to Government ministers to raise concerns about the impact of increasing diesel prices on school transport services across the county, following warnings from coach operators that escalating fuel costs were placing significant pressure on routes used by thousands of Norfolk pupils.
Councillor Dickerson has now received a response which confirms that no extra financial support will be provided to help councils and transport operators manage these additional costs.
In response, Councillor Dickerson is writing again, alongside Norfolk’s coach operators, to urge them to reconsider their position and recognise the growing pressures facing school transport networks.
He is also calling on Norfolk’s MPs to support the campaign and raise the issue directly in Parliament.
Cllr Tom Dickerson said; “I am extremely disappointed that the Government has decided not to provide any additional support despite the very real challenges being faced by transport operators and local authorities across the country.
“Norfolk is particularly affected because of our large rural geography and the distances many children need to travel to get to school safely and reliably.
“We have listened carefully to the concerns of coach operators who are seeing their costs increase significantly, particularly as a result of rising diesel prices. Without action, these pressures risk placing further strain on services that thousands of Norfolk families rely on every day.
“I will be writing to Government again, alongside local operators, to make the case for additional support. I am also asking Norfolk’s MPs to get behind this campaign and raise the issue in Parliament so ministers fully understand the impact their decision could have on rural counties such as Norfolk.”
Norfolk County Council has a statutory duty to provide transport for eligible pupils and currently supports around 19,000 children travelling to and from school across the county.
The council is urging Government to work with local authorities and transport providers to find a sustainable solution that protects essential school transport services and ensures children can continue to access education reliably and safely.
