A FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD girl has taken a fight for free school transport to Downing Street.

Megan Hastwell travelled to London this week with her mother Sue and Kirkby Stephen county councillor Libby Bateman to hand over a 2,000-strong petition calling for the Government to review the transport provision for post-16 students.

The campaign, known as Get us to School, has been led by Megan, a pupil at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School.

It initially kicked off as an online petition which was signed by more than 3,000 people, but became a paper-based campaign in a bid to take the fight straight to the heart of Government.

Young people who complete Year 10 are now required by Government to stay in education or training until they reach 18.

“But many people in rural areas are adversely affected by this decision, as it is not a statutory requirement for the local authority to provide transport for school pupils beyond 16 years of age,” said Mrs Bateman.

“Some families are able to purchase a seat on the school bus, if there is space available, but there is no requirement for a service to be commissioned if there is no space.

“Some families are being faced with a bill in excess of £1,000 per year per child in order to conform to a statutory requirement,” added Mrs Bateman.

“Megan approached me to ask if she could help out as part of her citizenship class. She has done an amazing job in coordinating the campaign, and it was fantastic to see her striding up Down Street and banging on the door of Number 10.

“It’s inspirational to see a young person so determined to make a difference.”

Megan said: “It’s been an interesting campaign, and good to be able to finish it by handing the petition into Downing Street.

“I hope it makes a difference to future students that will be affected by the choice of the Government’s compulsory education decision.”