By Conor Sharkey

A campaign by Glebe parents for free transport for their children took a step forward this week, with the announcement that a WELB Working Group is to be established to review its rural transport policy.

Angry parents have been lobbying since August for a free bus to take their children to Holy Cross College. Up until June this year free travel was provided, however the opening of the new Holy Cross College building moved children marginally within the three miles needed to qualify for a bus pass.

Despite this, parents have continued to press for free travel, arguing that the road pinpointed by WELB as the shortest route is unsafe.

And after two months of campaigning, the protests at last appear to be getting through.

Last Wednesday, during a meeting of the WELB's Services Committee, it was agreed that a Working Group be set up to review a number of contentious aspects of the transport policy.

It was emphasised again however that to bow to calls for transport assistance would contravene Board policy and that parents should make use of the Translink Service between the Glebe and Holy Cross.

Despite this, news that a Working Group is to be established should provide some comfort for the one hundred or so parents concerned only for the safety of their children.

Speaking yesterday, a spokesperson for the Glebe Concerned Parents Group welcomed the news but vowed to continue the fight.

"Whilst we welcome the decision of the Services Committee to set up a Working Group to look at the policies of Rural Transport, we can't help but wonder why the Board didn't measure the safest route to Holy Cross, which includes a footpath. Whose decision was it to measure a road with no footpath or lighting, with dangerous corners and which is frequently liable to flooding?

"We will continue to press the Board into measuring the safest route as the safety of our children is paramount and we would also take this opportunity to thank our MLA and councillor for the effort they are putting into our case and who are working tirelessly behind the scenes."