PARENTS have achieved a victory in their campaign for improved safety on buses transporting children to and from school.

Kent County Council and bus company Arriva have made changes to the public service used by Cheyne Middle School students living on the route to Warden Bay on Sheppey.

It follows strong representations by parents, Cheyne head teacher Peter Woollacott, and county councillor Matt Wheatcroft (Lab) in the wake of a serious accident in October.

A Cheyne student from Warden Bay fell out of a bus window in Eastchurch on her way home from school. The accident was caused by a group of children messing around at the back of the bus.

From December 1, the number 362 bus will be renumbered 366 and will follow a different route to avoid picking up older Minster College students.

It will now run via Cheyne Rock, Minster Broadway, Wards Hill, Minster, and Eastchurch with a reduced journey time. Arriva is also increasing the number of inspectors and CCTV cameras on the bus.

The new arrangements will be introduced on a trial basis. If parents remain unhappy, they will press for a meeting with Arriva and KCC in January.

Alternative bus services are available for Minster College students.