COLCHESTER students could be left stranded with no way of getting to school after a bus company unveiled plans to cut a vital service to combat rising costs.

Ipswich Buses’ 694 route from Langham to East Bergholt High School, in Heath Road, Colchester, will no longer run as of this September.

The decision to withdraw the service is a result of increasing fuel prices, inflation and the swelling costs of materials used to maintain the company’s fleet.

Currently, about 50 pupils catch the 694 bus on a daily basis, so concern is now starting to grow over how they will travel into school when the new year starts.

Headteacher Dan Woodcock said: “We are frustrated by this news and are very keen to find a resolution that will allow the children affected to continue to attend East Bergholt High School without significant additional costs to their parents.

“We have been in touch with Essex County Council and Ipswich Borough Council to explore measures that could be put in place to continue this service for our students.

“Unfortunately, as this route is for students based in Essex and East Bergholt is not the students’ closest school, neither council has been able to provide funding.

“We are unable to subsidise travel to school or make alternative arrangements, however, we are more than happy to continue to help parents and external organisations to find a resolution to the issue."

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Steve Bryce, general manager of Ipswich Buses, said he also will be happy to work closely with parents if a solution can be found.

He said: “We have operated service 694 for several years on a commercial basis, with no support from the local authority and it has always struggled to cover it costs.

"Now with the volatile fuel situation and other rising costs such as labour, parts and insurance it is regrettably no longer financially viable to continue to operate this service.

"We have tried to give the school as much notice as possible to minimise any inconvenience and if a solution can be found to continue with the service, we will be happy to work with both the school and parents."

A spokesman for Essex County Council, however, said: “Ipswich Buses’ operate this service on a commercial basis and whether or not they can continue to run this service in the current climate is a commercial decision made by the operator.

“Whilst Essex County Council has no control over such decisions, the council is currently looking at options to secure an alternative service.”

Ipswich Borough Council declined to comment because the bus service does not come under it jurisdiction. 

Parents or carers interested in attending a meeting at the school on July 12 at 5pm to discuss the situation are asked to sign-up by emailing enquiries@ebhigh.org.uk.