Schools unsure over DoT's seat belts plan

LOCAL head teachers have welcomed Government proposals requiring coaches and minibuses to fit seat belts for transporting children.

But they are unhappy a possible anomaly could mean some school buses would be fully fitted with seat belts while others would not. The new regulations were announced by Transport Secretary Brian Mawhinney. They will mean coaches and minibuses used specifically for carrying children must have seat belts fitted.

But the proposals may throw up an anomaly between 'contract' buses and 'scrvice' buses. 'Contract' buses are those specifically for carrying schoolchildren and would be covered by the proposed regulations, but 'service' buses run in term time but picking up fare-paying passengers as well as schoolchildren - may not.

Tom Connolly, headteacher of St Edmunds Roman Catholic Comprehensive School in Dover, said: "I would like the possibility to be explored of compulsory seat bells on buses used for school services which, carry members of the public."

The school has had its own, fully belted, 17-seater minibus for three years.

At Dover Grammar School for Boys - whose own minibus has seat belts - headteacher Neil Slater had similar views, He said: "I would suppon a move to extend these regulations and introduce seat belts on all school bus services. This would increase safety for children."

Elizabeth Lewis, head of Dover Girls Grammar School - whose own minibus is fully belted - was not happy with what appeared to be the anomaly over service and contract buses.

She said: "If some school buses will be required to have full seat belts and others will not, then I am not comfortable with that.

"Although there is a cost factor here, safely must be the priority."

Parent Chris Whiteoak, of Siberts Close, Shepherdswell, who complained to the Dover Express last year that his daughter Lisa and other children were having to stand on the bus to Archers Court School, felt the new regulations did not go far enough.

He said: "It's a step in the right direction, but it seems that some school buses will have to have seat belts and others won't and that can't be right. Parents want seat bells on all school buses."

The regulations are subject to consultation and parliamentary approval. Operators will have up to 12 months to comply.

A KCC spokesman said all the authority's vehicles for schools and youth groups had been fully fitted with seat belts for some while, adding: "We welcome any proposals which increase child safety. If there is an anomaly about the types of school buses then that is something we will raise during the consultation period."