PARENTS who feel their children are being neglected and forgotten have blasted a “ridiculous” decision to cancel a vital service which they use to get to school.

Hedingham and Chambers bus group has announced its 904 route, which runs from Layer de la Haye to Stanway School, will be pulled from its programme.

The change, which bosses say is a result of “extremely low” passengers numbers, will come into force from the start of the new school year in September.

The news has not gone down well with the concerned Colchester parents and carers of pupils who currently use the service to travel to and from school.

Gazette:

Silvan Stratford, for example, whose son has been at The Stanway School for three years, is now struggling to work out how she will get him to the complex each day.

She said: “We received a letter from the school informing us from September we would have to find alternative transport to get our children to school. 

“I understand there are now only 15 or so children on that bus, but we were paying £700 a year for the ticket, considerably more than other services to other schools.

“Essex County Council has said if parents pay for their children’s transport then it is up to us to find alternative modes of transport.

“This is ridiculous, as we are hardworking parents who are trying to hold down jobs and now we are unable to get our children to school.

“Essex County Council is neglecting its children who live in rural areas once again – the children who live in villages are often forgotten.”

READ MORE: 'Big problem' - Parents raise concerns over decision to axe school bus service

A spokesman for Hedingham and Chambers Bus group said bosses had held conversations with Essex County Council and confirmed route 904 will be cancelled.

They said: “We are reviewing all possible ways to continue the service and encourage parents whose children attend the school to consider travelling there by bus.

“We will keep you informed on our website at hedinghamandchambers.co.uk and social media channels as soon as we have any further information.”

An Essex County Council spokesman added: “The 904 bus was a commercial service operated by Hedingham and Chambers buses.

“We understand Hedingham and Chambers made a commercial decision to remove this service due to a reduction in passenger numbers.

"We can understand parents’ concerns, but unfortunately we have no influence over this decision.”

Any parents who wish to contact Hedingham and Chambers can do so by calling 0330 1020 801 or emailing services@hedingham.co.uk.