A MOTHER has today expressed fears her special needs daughter could end up seriously injured in a road accident because she is not getting access to school transport.
A MOTHER has today expressed fears her special needs daughter could end up seriously injured in a road accident because she is not getting access to school transport.
Glenda Owens, 49, said 11-year-old daughter Kierney suffers learning difficulties and behavioural problems and unlike other children does not realise when she is in danger.
Last month the Chantry High School pupil broke her arm after stepping out in front of a bus near the school.
As a result of the accident, Suffolk Count Council, the local education authority, agreed to pay for taxi journeys to and from school for Kierney.
However this arrangement runs out on March 5.
The authority offers children transport to school in certain circumstances but a decision on whether Kierney is allowed this will not be taken until March 30.
Mrs Owens, who is disabled and unable to take her daughter to school, said she fears for her daughter's safety over the coming month.
She said: “I'm worried she will be involved in another accident. It could happen again or she could be taken off by a stranger.
“Her learning difficulties mean she doesn't realise when she puts herself in danger.”
A spokeswoman for the council said the existing arrangement of getting Kierney to school by taxi were arranged as a short-term measure while she recovered from her injuries.
She said a previous application by Mrs Owens for Kierney to have regular transportation to school had not met the right criteria to be automatically approved.
The appeal will go before a committee on March 30.
The spokeswoman said: “We can make exceptions but it has to be done through a committee with councillors.
“Council officers follow the policy and if there is something that doesn't fit with the policy we will look at it and see if alternative arrangements can be made.”
N Do you think children have a right to free school transport? Is Mrs Owens right to appeal? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
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