More than 400 residents in Bedwas have signed a petition protesting changes to school transport in Caerphilly county.
The petition was handed to Caerphilly Council’s chief executive Ed Edmunds by Plaid Cymru councillor Steve Skivens.
The cuts from September would impact many pupils travelling from the Bedwas area to Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni Y Gwyndy campus in Pontygwindy Road. They will lose their school bus.
Councillor Steve Skivens said: “If these cuts go ahead the options are for pupils to either walk to school and have to cross a busy by-pass road or travel by private car, if available, putting many more vehicles on local roads.
“Over the last few years school road crossing patrol officers have been reduced. Projects under Welsh Government schemes, Safe Routes in Communities (SRiC)) are not as advanced as other local authorities even though some funding is available.
“Asking a young child to walk quite a distance to school, carrying bags and or musical instruments is a tough ask. Crossing our busy roads and safeguarding issues raise further concerns. Then what happens in winter and inclement weather another issue arises?
“The Labour leadership at Caerphilly council, even at this late stage, need to rethink this very unpopular decision. They should offer at least a transition period of ongoing support for pupils travelling to school until mitigation measures can be put in place.
“What will the council say if anything happens to a pupil walking to school on what is a very busy route?”
Campaigner Max Joseph said: “The council should rethink the cuts to school transport. The decision will force Cwm Rhymni pupils to cross the Caerphilly by-pass”
“This road is very busy either very fast or congested with frequent road traffic accidents and near miss incidents observed. Lives will be put at risk.”