A COUNCILLOR says she has been left "disheartened" as almost a million pounds are set to be cut from the budget that gets disabled youngsters to and from school.

Following a public consultation, Hampshire County Council is looking to slash the home-to-school transport budget by £986,000.

The service currently takes 12,000 children to and from school each day, with special educational needs and disabilities.

However, the county council now plans to use more dedicated pick-up and drop-off points, rather than going directly to children’s homes.

Multiple children could also be taken on single journeys, the county council has suggested.

SEE ALSO: 'Cruel and heartless': Senior councillor not happy with proposed changes to bus services

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Councillor Cllr Jacky Tustain has since reacted to the news.

She said:“I am disheartened that yet again some of our most vulnerable in society must take the brunt of financially motivated cuts. Children with SEN already have enough to deal with in a complex and overwhelming world.  That is why they are not in mainstream schools. To state that sharing transport encourages inclusion, awareness, and development of independence for these children is unfounded. And the pressure this adds to impacted families is also not considered relevant. “

She continued: “The challenges some parents face getting their child to school are already numerous. To add a walk up to a mile to a pickup point is ludicrous. We’ve been told this will be done on a case-by-case basis. However, there is a target saving to be met, so that can only mean HCC will have to make tough choices between providing services to these children and monetary savings.” 

Parents of these children have already voiced their opposition to these proposals.

The public consultation, which ran between January and March this year, received 945 responses – with 71 per cent being against the use of pick-up and drop-off points.

Parents cited concerns with stress and anxiety, particularly with how the children deal with changes to their routines, and the potential exposure to busy roads and bad weather.

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