Parents' bus safety campaign success

And the county councillor who helped them said: 'It's win, win, win for all of us.'

A double-decker bus will be replaced by two single-deckers with seat belts on the country route between Blackboys, Framfield, Easons Green and Uckfield from September.

The two buses have capacity to transport about 100 children in total.

The campaign was spearheaded by Framfield mother Karen Muxworthy who first began lobbying route funder East Sussex County Council last year.

A petition with 127 signatures was presented to the county council by Framfield and Blackboys councillor Chris Dowling who worked with the worried parents.

They were concerned about the safety and comfort of pupils who had to ride to school on one double decker bus.

They said it was often late, had no seat belts, left the stop before children were seated and swayed around tight corners making its young top-deck passengers feel sick.

Mrs Muxworthy and other parents told the Express they had initiated lengthy discussions with East Sussex County Council and Bexhill operator Renown before making their concerns public.

Karen said: 'I am absolutely delighted.

'My son Olly (14) can now travel in safety and my daughter Emily (10) has no fears about starting at Uckfield this year.'

She paid tribute to Cllr Dowling saying: 'He pushed for meetings and spoke to people that we would not usually have access to. He's our hero.'

Cllr Dowling said: 'It's win, win, win for all of us, all round.

'As a parent myself I could see these people had justifiable concerns.

'It was my job to pick up the ball and run with it as their county councillor.

'I told them "I will work with you and for you and help you get through the labyrinth of bureaucracy".'

Geoff Evans, deputy principal at Uckfield Community Technology College was delighted at the outcome.

He said: 'It's important for all concerned to feel safe and despite assurances to the contrary both students and their parents felt that there was an element of risk.

'Everyone will feel relieved by this outcome.'

A meeting will be held at County Hall on June 23 to rubber-stamp the decision and the route has already gone out to tender.