A petition urging North Yorkshire Council to reconsider transport rules gains traction as parents voice concerns over rural school access
Northallerton: So, there’s this big meeting coming up where the Richmond area committee of North Yorkshire Council is going to talk about a petition. This petition is all about changing the new rules on school transport. Right now, kids only get free rides to their nearest school, not necessarily the one they’re supposed to go to.
Parents and community leaders from the Upper Dales started this petition, and it’s really taken off. They’re worried that this change is going to hurt rural families. They feel it could split communities and make things unsafe for kids who have to travel on tricky roads.
The petition says that the council’s decision is a bad move for everyone involved. It’s not just about convenience; it’s about safety and keeping local schools strong. Plus, they’re not even sure this will save any money in the long run.
With over 500 signatures, the council has to discuss it. They could just ignore it or send it back for more review. The group behind the petition is really hoping the councillors will listen to them. They feel like their voices might get lost now that North Yorkshire is a unitary authority.
One spokesperson mentioned that they were promised their concerns would be heard. This transport policy is the first real test of that promise. They want the councillors to take this seriously and make changes that benefit the kids and the community.
Barry Khan, the assistant chief executive, said they plan to review this policy in 2026 after it’s been in place for a year. He thinks that’s when they’ll have enough info to really see how it’s working.
So, the debate is set for 10 am on Monday at County Hall. It’ll be interesting to see what happens!
