CAMPAIGNERS attempting to reinstate the free school bus to and from Clatford Primary School are celebrating this week after county councillors agreed the route used to walk and cycle to school is unsafe.

At a special hearing at the county headquarters in Winchester, the regulatory committee upheld the appeal by school governors, parents and parish councillors against a decision made in 1995 that meant the free school bus was withdrawn.

The outcome means the route is redesiginated as unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists and the free bus is reinstated.

Members of the appeals panel walked the route to the school before hearing deputations from school governor Richard Ryder and Andover rural county councillor Pat Pierce.

Mr Ryder told the committee that a questionnaire carried out in autumn 2000 showed a third of all parents who responded would prefer their children to walk or cycle to and from school, but the speed of traffic using the route at school times was 'a major deterrent'.

He also identified a number of hazards, including no pavements, blind bends, narrowing roads, lack of verges, high hedges and poor sight lines, which 'increase the risk factor for the safety of pedestrians and cyclists as well as the risk to other road users'.

County councillor Pat Pierce asked the panel to use 'common sense' and revert to the pre-1995 decision.

He said: "Using common sense, how can we believe that in 2002 the road is less dangerous now than when the decision was made?

"We decided all those years ago it was a dangerous road and it is certainly much more dangerous now.

"The thinking before this panel is quite straightforward - is this road suitable for children to walk to school?"

Allowing the appeal, chairman of the committee Cllr Michael Geddes said the panel was unhappy with two areas of the route - a narrow piece of pavement in Upper Clatford and an unpaved area between Upper Clatford and Goodworth Clatford.

He also cited the speed of traffic and the inability of a parent to have control of their child because the child would have to walk in front.

Speaking after the decision, Mr Ryder said: "I am relieved that common sense has won the day and we have to be satisfied that the first part of our school travel plan is now complete."