Anger over proposals to cut free school transport

Currently, school pupils who live more than two miles from their nearest school qualify for free bus travel.

The authority now intends to change the qualifying distance to three miles, which could mean that hundreds of youngsters miss out.

Darlington council's cabinet committee agreed last night to support the policy in principle, subject to a consultation process.

Council chiefs argue that too much money is being spent on secondary school transport and say the money saved by the move will be ploughed back into education.

However, critics claim it is simply a cost-cutting exercise which will put youngsters at risk.

Alan Docherty, of Unison and secretary of the Darlington Socialist Alliance group, said: "This bizarre cost-cutting exercise is symptomatic of a cash-strapped authority with an inadequate revenue budget.

"Parents will drive their children to school, reducing their exercise, while polluting the air.

"Children forced to walk these longer distances will be at risk of injury or death from increases in car traffic."

Parent Linda Fort, of Bartlett Street, Darlington, said: "It's disgusting what they are trying to do.

"Kids could be attacked or assaulted because their parents cannot afford the fare and they have to walk."

Council spokesman Steve Jones said the authority was bringing its policy in line with other authorities and Government legislation. It already spends about £400,000 each year on secondary school transport, or nearly £300 per pupil, a cost which it says continues to rise.

Mr Jones said: "This is not saving money for the sake of saving money. It is saving education money that is being spent on transport so that it can be spent on books, equipment and other things."

Councillors are expected to ratify the plans at a meeting on Tuesday.

A consultation process will then take place with schools and parents on the measure, which could be phased in from September 2002.