MORE children could soon lose out on free travel to school and be left facing a long walk.

Parents are concerned about a new policy which would see Southend Council cut its home-to-school transport arrangements.

A report to Southend Council’s cabinet recommends increasing the minimum walking distance from one-and-a-half miles to two miles before transport is offered.

It bring Southend in line with national guidelines. If approved, it would mean more children walking to school, while cutting demands on the council budgets.

Judy Barton, 41, of Norwich Avenue, Southend, said: “I don’t think it is a good idea to make children walk further because it is dangerous.

“We have to think about the safety of our children.

“Especially because it is getting dark in the mornings and evenings, you just don’t know what could happen to them on the walk to and from school.

“One of my children goes to Cecil Jones College which is about a ten to 15-minute walk which is not so far, but two miles is quite a long way for children to walk if they are walking on their own.”

The report also suggests cutting transport for any post-16 students, other than those from low-income families, as well as introducing a cycle allowance as an alternative to bus passes.

These changes could result in a council savings of £50,000 a year.

Roger Hadley, Southend councillor responsible for children and learning, said: “This would only affect a small number of people and it really is to bring us in line with national policy.

“It will make it less confusing for parents who have children of different ages going to school.”

A formal consultation period for the changes has been proposed to start in January.