Lightwater dad considers legal challenge over Camberley school route

Helyn Clack, SCC cabinet member for children, families and lifelong learning, said demand for home‑to‑school transport was increasing, putting pressure on budgets, and that £76.4m was spent in 2025/26 supporting around 10,000 children and young people.

“We take our responsibilities for school transport very seriously, but we must balance this with our duty to ensure we are only using public funds for those who meet the statutory criteria for free transport, or who have the greatest need,” she said.

“Our travel assistance policy is in line with national guidelines and the Department for Education’s school transport guidance.

“These guidelines consider the relationship between pedestrians and traffic, and assessments are undertaken assuming that the child will be accompanied by an appropriate adult if necessary.”

Clack said the new walking route had been established in August 2025, after a new footbridge over the M3, connecting Lightwater to Bagshot, opened.

“This route has been assessed multiple times and remains an available walking route under these criteria,” she added.

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