AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a school bus left children stranded in a village four miles from where they live.

Pupils who attend the Alun School, Mold who live in Rhydymwyn were dropped off by the school bus in Cilcain on Tuesday afternoon. The designated school bus had to diverted due to the A541 road closure following a collision. 

Rhydymwyn councillor, Andrew Parkhurst, described it as "totally unacceptable" that pupils were left stranded miles from home. 

“Stranding children miles from home is totally unacceptable," he said. "There are obvious safeguarding issues which the council and the bus company must now urgently address.

“The council also has to look at its own communication procedures because it is clear that some staff knew about the road closure but failed to communicate this with the department responsible for school transport.

“I will be following this up to ensure appropriate lessons are learnt so that this situation can never happen again.”

Katie Wilby, Flintshire Council's chief officer for Streetscene and transportation, said: “Flintshire County Council has been made aware of an issue with school transport from Mold Alun High School to Rhydymwyn yesterday afternoon and an investigation is underway into the circumstances.

"The safety and well-being of pupils is of paramount importance and any remedial action required will be addressed accordingly.”