YOUNGSTERS in the village of Cosheston are being left without a bus despite Pembrokeshire County Council giving an assurance that arrangements are in place for education transport to continue as normal following Silcox Coaches ceasing trading.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “More than 1,000 pupils in the south of the county were conveyed to school as normal on Monday, June 6, with new operator Edwards Coaches of Pontypridd.”

"Edwards Coaches is the largest family owned coach company in Wales employing more than 500 staff and operating 260 vehicles. It currently operates National Express coaches from Haverfordwest."

“Pembrokeshire County Council officers worked with the new operator to ensure a smooth transition following the cease in trading of Silcox Coaches.”

However, concerns have been raised in Cosheston, just a few miles from the site of Silcox Coaches, where youngsters failed to get to school by bus on Monday as there was no replacement bus service for them.

Cosheston parent Claire Williams said on Monday: “My daughter was left stranded at the bus stop.

"We live in Cosheston and she and her school friends were left waiting this morning as no bus turned up. We had to come home from work to collect her and some other pupils as they didn’t have their phones to contact their parents.

“I have phoned the council who told me they have failed to get someone to take over the route. Why has this not been highlighted? Only children who live three miles from the school will be guaranteed a bus, they told me they do not provide a school bus to Cosheston and that the children go on a public bus, and that has ceased, and Edwards is not looking to take this route on.

“Why is there not a school bus? There is no footpath to the school or access for them to walk. How are they meant to get there when their parents work full-time?”

Fellow Cosheston parent Daniel Dunderdale said: “My son Kalum, who’s in Year Eight, was left waiting for a bus at Cosheston to go to Pembroke School. We did as we always had done, we hadn’t been told anything; he and his year were left waiting for a bus that never came, there were four there this morning.

“I’m very disappointed in Pembrokeshire County Council in not informing the parents, both my wife and I work, he could’ve just been abandoned there.”

The 371 bus that served Cosheston was a public service bus where passengers paid for the service.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “We have successfully found 30 replacement buses for school and college transport together with more than 20 public transport buses and are exploring ways to serve routes that we have been unable to find operators for.

“Cosheston is within walking distance of Pembroke School and pupils living in Cosheston are not eligible for free school transport.

“Unfortunately until a replacement operator can be found the 371 service will not run.”

Local operators have stepped in and are now providing the following services.

First Cymru, Haverfordwest, is operating the 381 TenbyNarberth – Haverfordwest to the same timetable.

Edwards Bros of Tiers Cross is operating the 311/313 serving Haverfordwest, Clarberston Road and Broad Haven, the 318 Hakin to Milford Haven School and the Milford town service.

Taf Valley Coaches of Whitland is operating the 322, Haverfordwest to Carmarthen, the 351 Tenby to Pendine and the 352 Tenby to Kilgetty with some slightly modified timetables.

Edwards Coaches will be providing the 301 Haverfordwest town service with a revised timetable. This bus service is the 301 service.

The 360 St Florence to Tenby and the 356 Milford to Pembroke will operate using the same timetable, however, the 361 Pembroke Dock, Carew to Tenby will have a modified timetable.

The following routes are currently not operating 357, 362, 371, 375, 380. Pembrokeshire County Council will continue to work to find operators for these routes.

Timetables and updates can be found on www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk