School transport in Pembrokeshire is to get a major boost, thanks to a cash injection from the Welsh Assembly Government, through the Welsh Local Government Association. The money will be spent on developing innovative systems to improve safety on school transport. Pembrokeshire County Council - in partnership with authorities in the South West Wales Transport Consortium (SWWITCH) - has been awarded £626,000 from the Assembly for the three-year project. Two new transport development officers, who will work closely with schools and bus companies, have been appointed to lead the programme. Hubert Mathias, transport manager for Pembrokeshire County Council, said they were delighted at the funding, which would be used to improve school transport provision across the county, and should help create a better travel experience for pupils. "The aim is to develop and implement a range of measures, such as risk assessments of transport routes, CCTV on buses, and driver and pupil training," he said. "This is an exciting project and the new development officers will be working closely with schools, pupils, and transport providers over the coming months." More than 6,000 pupils use school transport in Pembrokeshire travelling on 270 routes every day. It costs the council £4.3 million a year to provide the service for children with a statutory entitlement. The service is largely contracted out to Pembrokeshire-based transport operators.
