CALLS have been made for an investigation into road safety after two brothers were injured in a crash.

The boys were involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Golf near the Co-op in the Avenue, Wivenhoe, on Monday, after catching the bus home from Colne Community School, in Brightlingsea.

Rosalind Scott, who represents Wivenhoe on Colchester Council, said more co-operation was needed to sort the position of stops used by school buses.

She said: “The problem with the accident is buses have slightly changed. The bus serving the Co-op used to pull into a side street, but now the passengers have to get off on the main road.

“The bus stops need to be upgraded, as they are dealing with 30 children, instead of two or three adults.”

Earlier this year, Essex County Council announced Year 7 pupils would have to pay for the New Horizon bus service from the Colne School to Wivenhoe. Rival company Hedingham decided to put on subsidised services, meaning there are now additional buses on the route, stopping close together.

Ms Scott said: “The accident is a dreadful thing. The unintended consequences of the home-school transport policy have meant students are at more of a risk.”

The 14-year-old, who suffered a serious head injury, was flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, in the Essex Air Ambulance. He was said to be in a stable condition.

His brother, 12, was taken to Colchester General Hospital with an ankle injury.

Ms Scott said the authorities had not thought logically about the home-school transport policy in terms of safety. She said: “The councils have been absolutely inflexible. Road closures mean there will be more public transport in dangerous places. There has been no common sense.

“The home-school transport policy needs to be reversed in the case of Wivenhoe. If not, the county council needs to arrange for other bus stops.”

Harwich and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin said: “I have asked police to confirm they are conducting a full investigation and will come forward with recommendations to improve the safety of children.

The collection and drop-off of children has to be reassessed for safety.”

Ray Gooding, county councillor responsible for education and lifelong learning, said: “We are sorry to hear about what happened to the boys and have contacted the school to see how they are. We hope they make a full recovery as soon as possible.

“It is disappointing a councillor has chosen to politicise this and inaccurately link it to the home-to-school transport policy.”

Police inquiries into the incident are on-going. Anyone with information is asked to call 101.