I have just been watching the lunchtime news, where it was stated that Pillaton was to lose its school bus to save on costs.
Leave out, for a moment the fact that the Council Tax increase for this county is twice that of Dorset, and look at the other more than possible implications, that of children's safety.
It is all good and well for the councillor to smile while she attempted to justify the loss by claiming that to supply transport would ensure even higher tax bills, but does she, or any other of our 'elected representatives' remember the last time the clocks were kept on Continental Time?
I was a rural police officer at that time, and it was horrific to be on early patrol and see little mites cramming themselves into the hedgerows while waiting for the school bus, while the ever considerate motorist hurtled along with a complete disregard for the safety of pedestrians in country areas.
We solved the problem somewhat by parking our car and switching on the blue light to slow them down.
These children were lucky in one respect, they, at least were going to get a bus.
The Pillaton children will have to walk every dangerous inch of the way in the face of traffic, but there is also the great danger of the children being assaulted or sexually abused by the evil minded people who presently inhabit our country.
Perhaps the lady referred to earlier and her colleagues would like to:
1. Remember that they are our servants, not vice versa.
2. Help to fund the retention of this bus by taking a cut in their daily allowances and mileage allowance, no doubt very generous.
3. Give some thought to who will be responsible for the death or injury to a child.
4. If they can't do the job or stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
This would appear to be a case for the European Court to consider, as this would appear to be an infringement of the children's rights, the right to being safeguarded and allowed to grow up uninjured and healthy.
NORMAN C LOCK
Looe