CHURCH leaders and politicians have made a lastminute plea to save free transport to Catholic schools.

Durham County Council’s ruling cabinet will vote tomorrow on proposals recommending that free transport to faith schools be axed as part of a range of measures to save £6m.

However, the proposals have provoked a storm of protest, with thousands of people making representations during a consultation process.

Joseph Hughes, director of the Roman Catholic diocese of Hexham and Newcastle’s education service, called on councillors to reject the proposals, which he described as “a retrograde step”.

He said: “It will have an impact not just on children of the least affluent families, but also on children just above that level.

“I find it puzzling that a Labour controlled council in the North-East could want to do such a thing and penalise those families.

“I understand there have been around 9,000 responses on the issue of faith schools alone – are they just going to ignore that strength of feeling and go ahead with this, rather than listen to the ordinary people of County Durham?”

The council, which is being forced to save £123.5m following cuts in Government grants, is considering a series of cuts to school transport provision.

As well as the £1m which it claims would be saved by ending free transport to faith schools, it is considering halting the contribution for pupils aged 16 and over, which would save £2.3m, and increasing the distance from home to school at which children receive free transport from two miles to three to save £750,000.

The authority says the proposed cuts are regrettable but unavoidable at a time of great financial pressure and says it will explore the possibility of setting up a self-financing concessionary travel scheme.

However, Labour MP Pat Glass has already spoken out, saying it could cost some families in her constituency £1,000 a year, while MEP Stephen Hughes has held talks with the county council on the issue.

Now Liberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall has also expressed concern that it would hit poorer families.

She said: “While generous support rightly remains for children on free school meals, I am concerned that families just above the threshold will be punished under the new rules.

“With rising fuel prices, there is a real danger that the only families that will be able to afford to choose the most appropriate school will be those that are well-off.

“Choice of the most suitable school – be that on the grounds of faith or some other specialism – should be available to all.

“The council’s proposals risk making it the preserve of the rich.”