COUNCILLORS are to investigate the background to a controversial decision to end free transport for 150 schoolchildren.

A Durham County Council working group is being set up to examine how officials came up with the proposal - approved by the cabinet - to remove the concession from pupils of Consett's Blackfyne Community School who live in Leadgate and face a "dangerous" walk to school.

The scrutiny sub-committee for developing lifelong learning has asked the cabinet to put the ruling on hold during its investigation.

It could have implications in 18 other areas that have concessionary travel because routes to school are considered unsafe.

The Blackfyne concession was given in 1984 because of hazards pupils faced walking to and from Leadgate and nearby hamlets.

Officials visited the area - mid-morning in the summer holidays - and concluded the route was safe and should not have the concession, saving £30,000 a year.

Local Independent councillor Watts Stelling said the criterion did not take account of local conditions and the weather. He told the sub-committee there were safety worries as there had been incidents of men exposing themselves to pupils.

"It isn't just about Leadgate and Blackfyne. I think it has implications for the rest of the unsafe routes that will be investigated. It just happens that my route has been chosen first."

The investigation will look at how officials assessed the risk to pupils and whether changes should be made to the procedure.

Councillor Stelling said he was extremely pleased with the sub-committee's decision, which followed the first call-in of a cabinet decision since the council adopted its new constitution in January.