News
Parents up in arms over last minute cancellation of Hakin school bus service
A ROW has broken out over a last-minute announcement from Milford Haven School that children living in The Fairways, Hakin will no longer be able to get free transport to and from school.
The school posted a message on Facebook on Monday (Sept 5) explaining that a cut in the number of buses meant that there was no longer space for pupils living just inside the three-mile statutory limit for provision of free school transport.
The school posted as follows: “Parents and guardians are asked to be aware of a change to bus travel arrangements from the Fairways, Dale Road, to Milford Haven School.
“Previously two buses would travel from Dale and St Ishmaels to Milford Haven School which had capacity to also pick up from Fairways.
“Now just one bus will be travelling from Dale and St Ishmaels with no spare capacity to pick up at Fairways.
“Fairways is within the statutory three miles of Milford Haven School so pupils are not eligible for free school transport.
“Pupils have previously been using concessionary passes while there were spare seats available.
“It has not been possible to issue concessionary passes this term.
“Many pupils from Fairways and the Hakin/Hubberston areas already utilise the service buses to get to school, currently £1 each way.
“The Council has arranged for the 318 service to pick up from Fairways at 8:07am and this drops pupils off inside the school grounds.
“This is also available for the afternoon.
“Other routes serving the area are the 302, and 315. Further details can be found online.”
Parents weren’t happy and took to commenting on Milford Haven School’s post.
Siân Thomson said: “Very short notice from PCC regarding this, it would have been beneficial for families to have been told this at the start of the summer holidays so we could have at least been prepared for it.
“As of tomorrow, I will have three children attending this school, the service bus would cost us £120 a month so it was quite a shock to receive the letter after the last few years of my children using the other bus with no issues.
“Also, an hour walk each way for children is very unrealistic too especially over autumn and winter.
“A real shame that this has been taken away.”
Nigel Williams wrote: “Will teachers be able to supply work at home as I cannot afford this and walking 2.8 miles in dark and rain before and after school is ridiculous.
“So, my daughter won’t be attending on bad weather days. I have called the school and asked but nobody has got back to me yet. Very poor planning from PCC getting a letter a few of days before the start of term.”
Steve Camani was concerned about space on the service bus. He said: “There’s about an extra 20 to 25 pupils there will be no space on the service bus… it was packed enough before this!
Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language has been contacted for a comment.
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) will be carrying out a realistic Search and Rescue training exercise on Monday (Apr 7), aimed at enhancing emergency response capabilities.
The exercise, named ‘High & Dry’, will take place between 6:30pm and 8:30pm at Crown Buildings, Church Street, Llanelli. The session will allow crews to practise specialist rescue techniques, including Rescue from Height using the Turntable Ladder.
To ensure a lifelike environment, synthetic smoke will be used during the training. Members of the public may notice smoke escaping from windows and doors, or see emergency vehicles and personnel at the scene. The fire service is reassuring residents that there is no cause for concern.
Watch Manager Gavin Wilkins said: “It’s vital to utilise real buildings as it provides a realistic environment and opportunity to prepare our crews to effectively deal with incidents of this nature. We would like to thank the owners of Crown Buildings in Llanelli for the use of the premises for this exercise.”
The service also thanked the public for their cooperation and understanding while crews undertake this important training.
A LLANELLI man who dropped a cigarette outside Tesco in Milford Haven has been fined over £570 after failing to attend court.
Mark Evens, aged 42, of Llys Westfa, Llanelli, was found guilty in his absence at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 3).
The court heard that on September 3, 2024, Evens discarded a cigarette butt in a public place to which section 87 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 applied.
He was fined £220 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £88 and prosecution costs of £266.66. A collection order was made, and the full balance of £574.66 must be paid by May 1.
A SWANSEA man failed to appear in court after being accused of refusing to comply with a marine enforcement officer.
Ieuan Rhys Davies, aged 29, of Seaview Terrace, Penclawdd, is accused of failing to stop his vessel when directed by Marine Enforcement Officer Matthew Dawkins on June 6, 2024.
The case, brought under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, was adjourned until May 1 at 2:00pm.
Magistrates have ordered that Davies must attend the next hearing or risk a warrant being issued for his arrest.
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