Dad hits out in York school bus route row

North Yorkshire County Council has altered where it will pick up Jonathan Graves’ two sons when the new term starts in September, meaning William, 14, and Alex, 11, will have to make a short walk along a pathway parallel to the A59 to the nearest stop.

Mr Graves, from York Road, Moor Monkton, said his sons were usually picked up , but now they have to walk from their house along a 500mm wide pathway to Church Lane where they will meet the school bus driver for Manor CE Academy.

He said: “When my lads walk on that path they will have 40 tonne articulated lorries doing 40mph next to their shoulders. It’s too dangerous. Until it’s sorted out they won’t be going to school.We will inform the school that due to health and safety the bus won’t be dropping them off because it’s too dangerous.”

Mr Graves, 50, has enlisted the help of his councillor Andy Paraskos, who says the only option is to lodge an appeal and have it considered by a council panel next month.

Cllr Paraskos said: “Its a pathway on the A59 and lorries are up and down there at ridiculous speeds. The only thing slowing them down is when there’s too much traffic.

“I wouldn’t want to walk down it, especially in winter when it’s dark and there’s a lot of spray.”

The pathway was deemed safe after an assessment was carried out, but the authority said Mr Graves is entitled to appeal this.

A spokesman for the council said: “Until recently, the route required a school transport vehicle to stop in the carriageway to make a right turn across traffic on the A59 to reach a pick-up point, with children on board. This route was reviewed for September to take account of increased pupil numbers and new pick-up locations required. In addition, in response to concerns about school services making right turns on busy major roads we have found a safer alternative which uses a right filter lane to access a new pick-up point for Mr Graves’ children.”