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# MP renews calls for improvements to school minibus safety
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/mp-renews-calls-for-improvements-to-school-minibus-safety/
- Published: 2026-01-24T08:08:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-01-23T20:56:24.000Z
- Description: A local MP has renewed calls for Government action on school minibus safety after the issue was left out of a new road safety strategy.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-07-22 18:11, News

A LOCAL MP has renewed calls for Government action on school minibus safety after the issue was left out of a new road safety strategy.

Sarah Edwards challenged the Minister for Local Transport during a House of Commons debate.

The MP for Tamworth – which includes Whittington, Fazeley, Shenstone and Stonnall – said measures were urgently needed to ensure pupils travelling by minibus were being kept safe.

She said:

> “Although I welcome the road safety strategy, it sadly ignores school minibus safety, despite my raising this issue with the department last year.  
>  
> “I have been campaigning with my constituents Liz and Steve Fitzgerald since 2023, following the tragic loss of their daughter Claire in a minibus accident.  
>  
> “Private schools follow strict O-licence rules, yet state schools can rely on weaker Section 19 permits.”

Claire Fitzgerald was just 13 when she died alongside 11 other pupils and their teacher after a school minibus crashed on the M40 near Warwick in 1993\. Only two students survived.

Her parents have recently joined the MP for a visit to the Department of Education to press for reform.

Their campaign has been backed by the NASUWT teachers’ union which ofund that almost a quarter of teachers reported feeling tired while driving a school minibus, while 16% said they had driven vehicles without having any formal training.

Ms Edwards said:

> “Every child deserves to be safe when travelling to and from school. Claire’s story is a tragic reminder of what can happen when safety standards are inadequate – and it is clear that 30 years later safety around school minibus use is still inconsistent.  
>  
> “I am determined to keep pushing for change alongside Liz and Steve, NASUWT and colleagues across Parliament until the law properly protects all children travelling in school minibuses.”