Protests at ‘unsuitable’ adverts on Conwy school bus

Jan 22 2009 by Mari Jones, North Wales Weekly News

ADVERTS of a sexual nature have been taken off school buses in Conwy following complaints from a headteacher.

Llandudno-based Alpine Travel transports approximately 3,500 pupils to and from school every day, and also operates school buses in Denbighshire and Flintshire.

David Wylde, headteacher of Ysgol Aberconwy, was so concerned by some of the advertising on the side of the buses that he contacted Conwy County Council to raise the issue.

Last week the buses were advertising a film called Sex Drive, a teen flick with a 15 certificate.

Mike Priestley, chairman of Ysgol Aberconwy’s governors, believes it was inappropriate and has since been taken down.

Mike, who has two daughters at the school, commented: “I welcome the news the advert has been taken down, but this isn’t the first time it has happened.

“In the past I’ve seen a bus advertising cider, and another for the film Saw, which had an 18 certificate and the ad was a picture of a severed head.

“I don’t believe these types of ads are right for school buses. I don’t want my 12- and 13-year-olds exposed to them. I hope that from now on Alpine will be checking more stringently what is displayed on the buses.”

However, Chris Owens, one of the directors of Alpine Travel, pointed out he hadn’t received a single complaint from any parents.

“When we received the complaint from Mr Wylde the adverts were taken down immediately, and we have already asked the advertising agency not to put anything of an inappropriate nature on the buses. This was a slip-up.

“Advertising is a very important source of revenue for us. Last year, when we were faced with spiralling fuel costs, the local authorities didn’t give us an extra penny to run the school service, so we have to look elsewhere for revenue.

“I do think it’s somewhat perverse that we’ve only received one complaint about this advert when it has been running all over Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire.”