A BUS company which was set to axe a vital school service leaving students stranded has performed a dramatic U-turn following pressure from parents and the Gazette.

Hedingham and Chambers bus group has announced its 904 route, which runs from Layer de la Haye to Stanway School, will now continue to operate.

The company previously said it would be pulling the service from its timetable as of September due to “extremely low” passenger numbers.

The decision was blasted as “ridiculous” by parents of pupils who use the bus to travel to and from the Stanway School on a daily basis.

Gazette:

Speaking exclusively to the Gazette at the time, some parents said they were genuinely concerned over how they would get their children to school.

Bosses of Hedingham and Chambers, however, have now confirmed the bus will continue to function until at least next March.

A spokesman said: “I am delighted to be able to share that this service will be reinstated ready for students to return to school in September.  

“We fully understand the challenges losing the bus service would create for many local families.

“Therefore, despite it currently running at a loss, we have decided to continue to run the service, currently until March 31 next year.

“During this time, we will regularly review passengers numbers and therefore would ask the local community to support and encourage more people to travel by bus to help ensure this remains a viable service which can continue for the long term.

“Again, we encourage any parents to get in contact if they wish to ask any further questions.”

Silvana Stratford, whose son attends the Stanway School, remains worried, however, about the future of the service.

She said: "I am really pleased the 904 bus has been temporarily reinstated, but I am concerned this is only a short-term solution.

"I am hoping enough children use the bus so it keeps running after March.

"The cost of transport to school for a year has also risen to £800, which I feel is an extortionate amount to pay to get your child to school.  

"I am hoping the bus will continue to run at least while the current cohort are at the school."