STUDENTS in isolated rural communities will be hardest hit if a council cuts funding for school transport, say concerned families.

The fears have been raised as Durham County Council (DCC) considers changing school transport entitlement in a series of public sector funding cuts.

As part of the proposal, the council may remove automatic entitlement to free home to school transport for pupils in years ten and 11 who move house during exam years; post-16 students who live in areas without viable public transport and post-16 students who cannot travel independently due to a medical condition or disability.

A recent Teesdale Action Partnership (TAP) meeting heard 70 per cent of children in that area would be affected.

“I think the key thing is the disproportionate impact in this cut in our area,” said TAP coordinator, Craig Morgan.

“We felt the policy could restrict chances for young people in this area and we felt that was not as fair as it could be.”

The move could save the council £740,000 by 2019 but it says exceptional circumstances would be taken into account.

Sheila Palmerley, strategic manager school places and admissions, said: “No decisions have been made but by understanding how and where any changes would create real problems for individuals we can plan how we may be able to support those youngsters if the changes are implemented.

“In Teesdale the proposed change to automatic entitlement to free school transport for those over 16 would impact on around 23 of the 32 students across the county.

“This is due to the more rural nature of the dale and is something we will look very carefully at while considering the public’s feedback.”

The proposal comes in the wake of earlier changes to school transport which one mother says left her with no option but to make a daily 70-mile round trip to her disabled son’s special school.

Dawn Davies, of Ferryhill, now drives Jake, 12, to the Percy Headley Foundation School, in Newcastle, after the council changed his school taxi in the summer meaning he would have to wait an extra 15 minutes and share a taxi with another pupil.

She said that would not suit Jake, who has microcephaly and learning disabilities, and he misses afterschool activities because of the 90 minute return journey.

She said: “My life as a full time carer has totally been disrupted by Durham County Council.

“I am not the only parent with transport issues but I feel a stand must be made as it’s simply unfair to expect my child to be so late due to DCC cuts.”

Mrs Palmerley said the council was aware of Ms Davies’ complaint and hope to resolve it.