EDUCATION bosses have been criticised over plans to withdraw school bus services in north Durham.

Durham County Council is considering withdrawing the services to Blackfyne Community School, in Consett, and Pelton Roseberry Sports and Community College, in Chester-le-Street.

But Councillor Alex Watson, leader of Derwentside District Council, said the plan would jeopardise the safety of pupils in rural communities and lead to a rise in truancy.

Coun Watson called for the local education authority to consult parents before making a final decision.

He said: "They should be retained and there is no question about that because public transport is not what it should be. It is expensive and unreliable.

"It is most important that our young citizens are able to get to school in a good way and people pay enough council tax for this service.

"They have done so for many years so why should they choose to discontinue it?

"It is much safer and, given the state of the environment, where they are undesirables who are prepared to pick up youngsters, it is necessary.

"Parents will feel more assured knowing their children are going to school on a school bus."

Coun Watson said some families in Derwentside relied on free school transport to get their children to school. He said they could not afford to pay for private buses, a taxi or to run a car.

Coun Watson added: "Derwentside is a low-wage area and has low car ownership.

"Forty-five per cent of people cannot afford a car and this must be considered.

"This is not good news for families who can ill afford to make sure their kids are getting to school safely."

A joint report by Keith Mitchell, the county council's director of education, and David Miller, its acting director of environment, said footpaths and crossing patrols would be built between Lead-gate and Blackfyne, at a cost of £14,000.

The report said: "The cost of providing free home to school transport is approximately £62,700 per annum.

"The cost to the authority for providing free transport from Ouston to Pelton Roseberry is £108,000 a year.

"The cost of new footpaths, lighting and crossing patrols to assist the pupils to walk to school would be £19,320, a saving of £88,000 annually."