FEWER children with disabilities or special needs would be entitled to free cabs to school, under cost-cutting Council plans.

The plans would see more children with extra needs taking public transport to mainstream schools with their peers, or using shared transport if they go to a special school.

And those still using cabs would be more likely to share them.

Bradford Council says it is having to slash its school transport budget once again, after cut-backs made last year, because of ongoing Government cuts.

But parents, special schools and other groups have raised a host of concerns about the plans during a public consultation, a new Council report reveals.

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In an official response to the consultation, the governors of the Bradford District Area Partnership of special schools said: "We are very concerned the effect the proposed changes to school transport will have on the education of children, and their ability to recognise their fullest potential."

Other objections were made by the National Deaf Children's Society, Bradford College and the Q20 Theatre in Shipley.

Last year, the Council spent £10.4 million on travel assistance for 4,300 children, as well as £2.7m on college transport for eligible adults - a total spend of £13.1 million.

Of this, £7.5 million was spent on cabs and minibuses, as well as escort staff, for children in special schools, pupil referral units and mainstream education.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, executive member for education, said: "I want us to make sure we can support those children and young adults who most need our help in spite of the Government cuts coming our way.

"It's therefore a priority to review this policy to make sure it's fit for the future. I welcome the continued input of parents in working through these policy changes."

Michael Jameson, strategic director of children’s services, added: "The new framework would enable us to target the right assistance to children and young people who need it."

In total, nine changes are proposed under the latest plan.

They are:

- Eligible children would use shared transport wherever practical and safe;

- Maximum journey times for children aged 11 or more would increase from 60 minutes to 75 minutes each way;

- Escort staff would only support children with the highest level of need;

- Travel training would be offered to children aged 11 and over with special needs;

- Young people over 16 would only be considered for travel assistance in limited circumstances;

- If a child is given travel assistance because his or her walking route to school is considered unsafe, this eligibility would end if the route was made safe;

- The appeals process will be sped up;

- The Council's transport policy will be split into two separate policies, one for school-age children and one for over-16s.

The plan will be discussed at a meeting of the Council's executive next Tuesday.