Withdrawal of funding for post-16 transport will have disproportionate effect on rural areas - Lamb

5.20.03pm GMT Fri 23rd Dec 2005

Norman Lamb, Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, is warning Norfolk County Council against a withdrawing of funding for post-16 transport, following a meeting with Peter Mayne, the Principal of Paston College in North Walsham, and Tim Ellen, the Vice Principal of the College.

"The concern held by Paston College is that a withdrawal of funding for post 16 transport would disproportionately affect rural areas, where transport prices are higher than in Norwich and urban areas," says Mr Lamb.

"The withdrawal of laid on coaches would have a serious effect in cases where public transport is not available.

In response to the possibility of the introduction of a student travel card, Norman Lamb has pointed out that this would be of no use in areas where public transport is not an option.

"Norfolk has problems with low staying-on rates amongst students and I am concerned that given the rural nature of the County, cutbacks on transport will only exacerbate the problem."

Norman Lamb has written to Lisa Christenson, Director of Children's Services at Norfolk County Council to highlight these concerns.

"My hope is that the County Council will consider all of the issues raised with me by Paston College before making the proposed changes to post 16 transport. It would be entirely counterproductive if such changes had a negative effect on the ability of students in rural areas to reach their maximum potential."

Below is the Letter from Norman Lamb to Lisa Christensen, Director of Children's Services, Norfolk County Council written on 21st December:

Dear Lisa Christensen,

Proposal to withdraw funding for Post 16 Transport

I write following a meeting I have had with Peter Mayne, the Principal of Paston College and Tim Ellen, the Vice Principal of the College.

They have very serious concerns about the recently announced proposal to withdraw funding for post 16 transport and they make the following key points.

1. This will have a disproportionate effect on people in rural areas where the cost of transport is inevitably significantly higher than it is in Norwich and other urban areas. I understand that the cost of post 16 transport is approximately £460 per student per year on average and that, currently, each student pays £205 to use that transport. However, in rural areas the cost would be significantly higher than £460. Any half price card proposal would result in students and their families paying significantly more than they do at present.

2. Paston College is served by a whole fleet of coaches funded by the County Council covering areas not covered by public transport. For example, approximately 60 students travel from Aylsham to Paston College in such a way. A Travel Card would be of no use to them. A laid on coach is required in order to get students from many parts of the catchment area into North Walsham. It would be frankly disastrous if these coaches were withdrawn.

Peter Mayne takes the view that a Travel Card could well be worth exploring further as part of a comprehensive assessment of transport needs, but it must not disproportionately students in rural areas and it must be used as a way of encouraging students to use public transport outside school or college times - this could be a value of both bus and rail companies.

3. Students doing vocational courses would be hit hardest. School Sixth Forms providing academic courses generally have students travelling shorter distances compared to Sixth Form and other further education colleges where vocational courses are provided.

4. There has been a serious problem in Norfolk of low staying on rates. I understand that some years ago Norfolk was bottom of the National league table but has improved its position during the last few years. Given the rural nature of this county, any disincentive to stay on could have a negative impact on what must be everybody's ambition to improve staying on rates further in this county. There is also a danger that if the incentive to stay on beyond 16 is removed, then it could have a negative impact on aspiration pre-16 resulting in reduced attainment at GCSE level.

Overall, my very serious concern is that this will disproportionately affect rural areas and will have a negative effect on the capacity for students in these areas to achieve to their maximum potential and will further have a negative effect on the local economy.

I do hope very much that you think very carefully before pursuing this further. It seems to me that it goes against everything we are trying to achieve in this county and would be entirely counterproductive.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Norman Lamb