Reads here like the driver just got lost, Roy.
A bit more detail here in another source, for what it's worth.
Looks like the driver just got lost. I'm sure we've all been there, but maybe not to the extent of taking an hour for a four mile run which looks quite straightforward on the map
But still no official explanation here - sometimes best not to say anything, though, and just hope it all blows over
There are a few paragraphs in the piece I wasn't able to copy and paste below, so if anyone wants to read the claims about a local reliable bus company being replaced by three different taxis with clueless drivers, then read the piece via the link below...
But I suppose several pickups in rural/village environment in an area you don't know can be a bit tricky, even with satnavs etc
Family of three children, aged five, six and nine, from Stambourne, near Haverhill, ‘frantic’ after they ‘disappeared’ while taking taxi to schoolhttps://archive.is/YPtmeThe family of three small children who went missing for more than an hour after being picked up by a council-run taxi say they have been ‘badly failed’.The siblings, aged five, six and nine, were picked up by an Essex County Council (ECC) appointed taxi firm at 8.15am last Thursday to take them to Steeple Bumpstead Primary School, barely a 10 minute drive away from their home in Stambourne.
At 9.17am the school, having already dialled 999 because the children had not turned up and were therefore considered missing, contacted the family to let them know.
The children arrived at school not long after, 80 minutes after they left their home, during which time nobody was able to reach either the taxi driver or the company they drove for to establish what was happening or where they were.
The children’s grandmother, Carolyn Onslow, who was once headteacher at Clements Primary School, in Haverhill, said their parents were ‘frantic’ after learning nobody knew where the children were.
She said: “We were so worried something dreadful had happened when the school initially phoned and the relief was overwhelming when my son eventually located the taxi, which was driving around lost.
“In fact my nine-year-old granddaughter recognised the taxi had driven past our house at least twice, but still he didn’t think to call in and ask for help.”
Mrs Onslow’s version of events was later confirmed by a school spokesman as being accurate.
Initially, said Mrs Onslow, the children did not seem too upset at what had happened but the following morning they were tearful and refused to get into the taxi that arrived for them.
The family is very worried, she said, about the long term affects on the children, one of whom has recently been diagnosed as being autistic.
Mrs Onslow added: “I understand finances are tight, but it is in the best interests of our children’s safety that we have a reliable and efficient transport arrangement in place.
“This has also raised massive safeguarding concerns.”
On Tuesday afternoon, Mrs Onslow confirmed the family had not heard from either the council or the taxi firm, adding: “This has been a deeply traumatic event for the whole family, but no response has come from Essex County Council, despite the school and ourselves trying to unsuccessfully contact them on numerous occasions, or the taxi company.
“ECC is ultimately responsible for the safeguarding of our young children, but we feel the council has failed badly, seemingly concerned only with budgetary considerations.”
A spokesperson for Essex County Council later responded, saying: “We are aware of the incident relating to children attending Steeple Bumpstead Primary School and the affected families have been contacted.
“We are continuing to work with the provider to understand the circumstances behind this incident and will update families in due course.
“We are taking the incident seriously and the service continues to be closely monitored.
“Any further incidents will be dealt with swiftly with appropriate action taken.”
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