CONTROVERSIAL changes to free school transport look set to go through after council chiefs recommended a raft of cuts to the service.

Members of Durham County Council’s ruling Cabinet are to vote next Wednesday on whether to press ahead with school transport cuts, which have provoked a storm of opposition from parents and church groups in the county.

Councillors will vote on a recommendation which officers say will save the authority £6m over the next four years.

Among the proposals contained in the cabinet report published yesterday are: 􀁥 Halting the contribution to transport costs for pupils aged 16 and over from September; 􀁥 Raising the distance from home to school at which children aged eight and over receive free transport from two miles to three; 􀁥 Axing free transport to faith schools, predominantly Roman Catholic schools, from September next year.

The council says the changes are being put forward because the council is being forced to save £123.5m following cuts in its Government grant.

Councillor Claire Vasey, the authority’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “Until now, the council has operated a very generous home to school/college transport policy, which goes beyond what the law requires us to provide.

“It is regrettable that we now have to reassess this provision, but it is also unavoidable at a time of great financial pressure for everyone.”

The most controversial element of the proposed changes has been the axing of free travel to faith schools, which the authority believes would save about £1m. It was met with widespread opposition, including from teaching staff and church leaders from the Roman Catholic diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.

Just under 10,000 people expressed their opinions during an eight-week consultation exercise.

However, the council says that, following issues raised during that consultation process, it now proposes to hold talks with schools, diocesan authorities, parents and other groups to explore the possibility of setting up a selffinancing concessionary travel scheme to faith schools and some rural schools.

If approved, all of the proposed changes would only apply to new applicants and anyone already in receipt of free travel would continue to receive it.