12:40pm Thursday 13th November 2008
In response to Mr Brett Young’s letter "Not the intention to put anyone in danger". I find this article insulting to our children.
I was one of the parents that raised our transport issue with David Cameron at his questions and answers session.
Most of our children already have minibuses from home (not taxis as Coun Brett Young keeps stating) and this is still the safest way for our children to travel, as we have told you.
This proposal would put our children in danger as we would have to walk up to a mile from our homes, not close to our homes as Coun Brett Young states. He also says that only children who can walk unassisted will be considered – that discounts all of our children then. They may not be in wheelchairs but they are disabled.
Our children cannot walk without having their hand held, being guided (so that they don’t fall in the road, or run off).
A lot of them find the world, people etc very confusing and need constant reassurance that they are safe. This is unassisted, is it? You say that only fit, healthy children will be considered, not children like Mr Cameron’s son who is in a wheelchair – does this mean that children in wheelchairs are not healthy?
Coun Brett Young states that the council have “carried out extensive consultation with parents and schools across the borough”. The vast majority are totally against proposals.
Obviously the real reason then is just down to costs, let’s not keep hearing all this piffle about being concerned about increasing our children’s independence and social skills.
Our children gain their social skills and independence at school and on the minibus with their peers. Of course transport costs have increased due to more children being diagnosed and more special needs schools being opened in the borough – Sutton has a high percentage of special needs children. Our children are vulnerable and need protecting – this will not happen if this plan goes ahead.
This is purely a cost-cutting exercise – I wonder how much money could be saved by cutting Coun Brett Young and his colleagues’ bonuses and extravagant Christmas parties?
JANE HAYWARD
Wallington
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