Parents and children angry about cuts to the school bus from Rode Heath near Alsager are staging a protest on Monday (6 July) walking from the village to Alsager School.

They are up in arms over the disclosure that a school bus taking children on the three mile journey to the nearest high school, Alsager School, is being axed.

They are marching from the Broughton Arms to Alsager School to show how difficult it will be for children from the village to get to the high school from September.

The Rode Heath Primary School's Parent, Teacher and Friends Association is urging as many parents and children to take part in the march.

A spokesperson said: "As Rode Heath Primary School children will be directly affected by the removal, I would like to invite children, parents/ guardians and family members to join us. The more people that attend, the bigger the impact we can have.

"The march will start from the Broughton Arms at 7.40 am on Monday (6 July). I realise that this is a lot to ask, for primary school children to walk three miles to Alsager, but this is the reality for all year six students in September."

Councillor Emma Gilman, Cheshire East Council's cabinet member for education, special educational needs and disabilities, said: "The council is applying national school transport policy, which is clear that parents are responsible for ensuring their child gets to school unless they meet the statutory eligibility criteria for free transport.

"We understand that the removal of two school transport routes will be concerning for some families and may affect their daily arrangements.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

"Following highway improvements and a detailed safety assessment, both routes have been confirmed as available walking routes within the statutory distance.

"Parents who believe their child may be eligible on other grounds, including special educational needs, disabilities or low-income criteria, can appeal through the council's process.

"The safety of children remains the council's top priority. We will continue to work with families, schools and transport providers to ensure clear information is shared in order for families to plan for September 2026."

Meanwhile local MP Sarah Russell has written to Cheshire Eat Council and asked for them to provide her with the reasoning for the removal of this bus service.

She added: "I have also asked what specific measures will be taken to ensure that children travelling from Rode Heath benefit from safe and accessible routes to school as well as to what assessment has been undertaken regarding the likely increase in traffic and the impact on road safety around the school."