D&G bus service from Holmes Chapel leaving pupils stranded

Middlewich resident Hazel Cromar, 11, started at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School in September and while she has settled in well, she has faced some difficulties with the daily commute.

Hazel, who is autistic, gets D&G Bus’s 42 service but says it is often overcrowded and sometimes doesn’t stop at all.

“Just the thought of getting the bus makes me want to cry,” she said.

Hazel said the bus has been 'absolute chaos' since she started at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive, with pupils more often than not forced to stand when travelling both to and from school.

However, the issue appears to have gotten worse this term, with Hazel not even able to get on the bus on Tuesday (January 9).

Then, on Monday (January 15), the bus didn’t stop, leaving Hazel and around a dozen other pupils with no means to get home.

Hazel gets the 42 bus to and from school (Image: Supplied)

The next bus doesn’t come until an hour later, 4.40pm, at which point it is dark, something which causes great concern for Hazel’s mum, Lisa Cromar.

Lisa, 45, said: “It’s been awful.

“Hazel has handled it remarkably well. Changes not going to plan can really throw off someone who has autism and it’s creating quite a lot of anxiety for her.

“She’s only tiny so stood up she gets bashed around and it’s just so dangerous. God forbid there’s an accident, it’s just not safe.”

Hazel Cromar and mum Lisa (Image: Supplied)

Lisa explained that they chose Holmes Chapel Comprehensive due to its pastoral care and SEND support.

As she and Hazel’s father both work full-time, they are unable to take Hazel to school themselves.

They have also applied for an Education, Health and Care Plan which would help them get the support they need.

However, they have so far been unsuccessful.

Lisa has contacted D&G Bus in an effort to resolve the situation, but has so far been unsuccessful.

D&G Bus were approached by The Guardian for a statement, but the company said it did not wish to comment.