An anxious mother has told of her fears for children's safety due to possible changes being looked at for home-to-school transport.

Della Street, of Point Clear Road, St Osyth, is worried over Essex County Council's possible change of policy which would leave many youngsters without free transport.

The council wants to increase the eligibity limit from two-and-a-half miles to three miles, and for children under eight from one and a half miles to two miles.

Mrs Street, who has a child at St Osyth Church of England School, as well as nephews and nieces, said it would add to problems already experienced there.

She said: "I am not only concerned about our school, but all rural schools across Essex which will be affected if this goes through.

"When the Government is trying to encourage people to use their cars less for the sake of the environment, this will only mean more cars will have to be used as less will be able to take advantage of the bus."

Mrs Street said many footpaths were not safe for people to walk, especially with pushchairs and children.

Mrs Street has put all her fears down on paper and sent them to Essex County Council to be considered before a final decision is taken.

An Essex County Council spokeswoman said the deadline for comments had been extended to this Friday.

She said the current situation was more generous than required by law.

The spokeswoman explained the situation was being looked at due to a lower than expected grant settlement from the Government

Published Wednesday, April 9, 2003

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