FROME and East Somerset MP Anna Sabine, has called for urgent improvements to bus services serving Writhlington School and surrounding areas.

She met with staff to discuss growing concerns about the lack of reliable transport between Radstock, Frome and the school campus, as well as between local secondary schools.

At present, the school operates a bus service from Frome via Leigh on Mendip, at a cost of £1,375 per year for families. The school contributes around £10,000 annually from its own budget, including pupil premium funding, to keep the service running.

With a new joint Sixth Form being introduced over the next two years, the issue is expected to become even more pressing.

Ms Sabine said: “Access to education should never depend on whether a family can afford transport, yet that is increasingly the reality facing many in our area.

“I heard directly from Writhlington School about the challenges they are facing, with existing bus services unable to cope and the school stepping in to provide a heavily subsidised service. This is simply not sustainable.”

Ms Sabine has now written to the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), urging immediate action and proposing a new, more strategic bus route to better serve students and the wider community.