A CONSULTATION on controversial changes to a policy which allows children to get free home to school transport has shown 75 per cent believe families will suffer financial hardship as a result.

North Yorkshire County Council’s transport, economy and environment overview and scrutiny committee will discuss the findings on April 15 after 115 people responded to the 12-week consultation.

The authority has been under pressure to make budget savings, and since 2010 to 2011 savings of £3.928m have been made in the budget for school and college transport.

Further savings are now being considered to be made in the current £20.5m budget – which would alter the current policy of providing free transport for children aged eight to 11 who live more than two miles from their catchment school.

The proposed changes would mean children living between two and three miles away would have to make their own way to school – unless they are receiving free school meals, or the route is deemed unsafe for walking.

The findings of the consultation show that more than 70 per cent of parents who took part in the survey were against or strongly against the proposals, while almost half were against proposals to stop providing free transport for GCSE students.

The consultation results show that 74 per cent of parents disagree that their children will be able to walk to school – and 76 per cent will be forced to drive children to school.

75 per cent felt the moves by the authority would lead to financial hardship for families – either through the cost of their own cars of an annual £380 bus pass.

The council estimates that it would save around £300,000 with the changes if they are approved by the authority’s executive on May 26.

Upper Dales councillor John Blackie, who has fought for free post-16 home to school transport, said he agreed that many families would face financial hardship should the proposals be introduced.

He said: “This is nothing short of a tax on those living in rural or deeply rural communities. “

He added that when many of the small Dales schools – including Hardraw, Stalling Busk and Muker – closed down due, parents were promised free transport to their nearest alternative school.

Pete Dwyer, corporate director for children and young people’s services, has recommended the committee note the findings and make comments ahead of the executive meeting.

He added: “There was a relatively low rate of response to the consultation and, unsurprisingly the majority of respondents disagree with the proposals.”