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Lucy wins free school bus fight
A MUM who was refused free school transport for her disabled daughter has won an appeal.
Judy Jackson did not realise Lucy was eligible for free transport to school when knee surgery meant she could not drive.
Judy, of Hullen Edge Road, Elland, had always taken Lucy to primary school by car and when she transferred to Rastrick High School, she agreed to carry on.
She did not realise other disabled pupils gor free transport until she applied for help.
Judy, 44, said: "The council never said I could apply for assistance with transport."
She was told 11-year-old Lucy was not eligible because she had not gone to her nearest school, Brooksbank.
Judy said: "Brooksbank is not a suitable school for Lucy. There are different levels and staircases."
Lucy had meningitis when she was two and has poor balance and co-ordination, motor skill impairment and autistic tendencies.
Rastrick High has a number of special-needs children and Judy thought it was a more suitable school.
The council offered Lucy a place on the bus at 2 a day and Judy accepted. She was then sent a bill for 98, which she refused to pay and was threatened with court action.
Judy said: "Lucy is now going to get free transport. But I should not have had to fight."
A Calderdale Council spokeswoman said: "The council publishes a booklet on home-to-school transport.
"In this case the child was not entitled to assistance and it has been awarded at the discretion of the appeals panel."
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Weather for Halifax
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
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