Views on changes to school travel to save £5.5m

The changes will come into force from September, if confirmed

Parents and carers are being asked to share their views on a shake-up to school transport, in a bid to save £5.5m.

Cumberland Council agreed the scheme in July, which includes giving a payment to children who cycle, offering parents a mileage allowance and providing children with training to travel on public buses.

Now the authority has launched a consultation to give parents and carers a chance to have their say on the plans.

If confirmed, the changes will come in from September, but will only apply to people making a new application, unless they request to move to the new scheme.

Councils in England must provide transport to school to eligible children, such as those with special educational needs or from low-income families.

Labour-led Cumberland Council said the eight proposals it put forward would not reduce the eligibility criteria, but would make it clearer who can apply for the support, as well as cutting costs and making options "more flexible".

'Reduce congestion'

The proposals include providing children with a free pass to use on public transport, offering a "travel buddy" or a space on a walking bus.

Another option would see children who are eligible for the help, but who want to cycle to school, receive a one-off payment.

The council's consultation said: "These carbon neutral approaches would reduce vehicle journeys and congestion around schools and contribute to improving health and wellbeing."

It added a new option would be for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to receive training to prepare them to travel independently.

However, the authority said it estimated that "fewer than five children per year" would be suitable for the training.

The document added parents would not be "obliged to agree" to this option, even if their child was deemed suitable.

Depending on the distance between home and school, parents could also be given between £1,900 and £8,550 to provide transport to their children independently.

This could be for cases where they need a specially adapted vehicle or skilled support to travel.

The council is holding drop-in sessions in person and online and responses to the consultation can be submitted through the council's website by 9 December.