CONSERVATIVE councillors yesterday stood by plans to introduce travel-to-school charges for teenagers, despite Liberal Democrat attempts to halt the move.

A county council scrutiny committee voted 7 to 5 in favour of a £8 weekly charge for 16 to 18-year-olds.

The charge was approved by the executive last week, but Liberal Democrat councillors called the decision in.

It was referred back to the young people overview and scrutiny committee, which met yesterday at County Hall, Northallerton.

LibDems said the charge may put off some students from going to college and voiced fears about an increase in traffic.

But Conservatives backed the plan for a second time. The charges will come into force for all new post-16 students from September.

Liberal Democrats spoke of their disappointment following the meeting.

Group leader Councillor Caroline Seymour said: "We lost the vote today, but we certainly didn't lose the argument.

"The Conservatives have accepted that this policy goes against guidance, but have voted for it anyway. And the losers will be our county's young people."

Richmond LibDem Councillor Stuart Parsons said: "I am very disappointed. We believe in free access to education for all, and this policy runs against that principle."

Councillor Heather Garnett, Conservative chairman of the scrutiny committee, said many of those who would have to pay for travel would be able to use payments from their Government-awarded Education Maintenance Allowance to cover the cost.

She added: "It wasn't an easy decision to make. One or two young people will experience hardship, there is no doubt about that.

"North Yorkshire has the highest transport costs of any county in the country, with £34 a week for each student. That comes out of everybody's council tax.

"Even with this £8 charge, the county council will still be subsidising students by £26."

Council officers had recommended a £10 weekly charge, but this was reduced to £8 at last week's executive meeting.

The charge will apply to students who live more than three miles from their place of education and are beginning a post-16 course in September.