As a parent of a child going into secondary school, it's been a big adjustment in many ways. Not least trying to plan travel to and from the school. After 7 years of primary school and being within walking distance from home, it's been a shock having to put the car on the road twice a day to make 2 10 minute journeys in and out of Poole Town Centre each day. Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch are all extremely overpopulated as it is. When our son originally accepted a place at Poole High School the plan was always for him tp travel by bus. However, we were not expecting bus fares for school attendees to be so high! It has lead us to use our cars to drop off and pick up. Even being on low income and in receipt of Universal Credit has not afforded any reduction in bus fare.

I would like to petition BCP to provide free bus travel for secondary age children. I believe this would significantly reduce the number of cars on the road. Subsequently this would ease congestion, reduce parking in residential areas for locals, give children independence, confidence, and experience in using public transport,thus promoting these habits when they reach adulthood.