A COUNCILLOR is celebrating victory after winning free bus passes for village schoolchildren, saving families £30,000.

Mobberley independent Cllr Hannah Moss teamed up with parents struggling to pay fares for pupils to attend Knutsford Academy.

Back in 2018, Cheshire East Council approved changes to the free home to school transport for children in Mobberley.

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Cllr Moss said: “It was deemed the 60mph road from Mobberley to Knutsford was safe for children as young as 11 to use as a walking route to school.

“This has outraged parents ever since the change was approved.”

Cllr Moss was inundated with complaints at her surgery and has been lobbying council officers through emails and discussions to amend the policy.

“Officer have now relented and accepted that the route from Mobberley to Knutsford Academy Lower School, which covers the youngest children, 11-13 years old, is in scope and above the three-mile rule which prevents a free bus pass being issued.

“It was also highlighted that families who struggle and are on benefits such as free school meals or universal credit will be able to apply for a free school bus pass if they are over two miles from the school.

“This will mean children in upper school in Mobberley whose families are receiving additional support could receive a free school bus pass.”

So far, more than 25 families have already benefitted from this change, with savings of more than £30,000 for the two years their children are at Knutsford Academy.

Cllr Moss added: “For the families of Mobberley, this is significant and will only pave the way for more savings in the future for families who aren’t at Knutsford Academy yet but will be in the future.”

Families have expressed their appreciation in personal messages to her.

One parent said: “I wanted to say a massive, massive thank you for pushing Cheshire East with the bus passes, they arrived today.

“You probably don’t realise but it will make such a difference to us not having to pay £31 every week.

“I can’t thank you enough for all your hard work on this.”

Another parent added: “We have two children in lower school, it saves us £1,260, we can go on holiday now, thanks to you.”

Other parents said: “Thank you for all your hard work in getting the bus pass situation sorted.

“We are delighted to have been given one for our child.

“It’s going to make a massive difference so thank you.”

Another couple added: “You are saving us £630 a year, that makes such a difference.”#

The Guardian has asked Cheshire East Council for a comment.