PARENTS are accusing West Berkshire Council of neglecting the safety of their children by axing a school bus service.

Pupils as young as 11 years-old will be forced to walk up to two miles through dense woodland and across a 60mph road if the free service between Mortimer and The Willink school in Burghfield is scrapped.

At present, 233 pupils living in Mortimer are eligible to use the service, which the council must provide as there is no pavement or walkway between the village and the school.

However, the council is proposing to remove the route from its Home To School Transport Policy from September 2016 following a recent review.

West Berkshire Council, which spends £1.6m each year on school transport, says it will save £123,500 by scrapping the Mortimer to Willink service.

But parents insist the alternative route, which would force children to cross Goring Road where the speed limit is 60mph, is a danger to children.

Helen Symington, Save Our Bus action group spokesman, said: “We appreciate that cuts have to be made and we would certainly encourage our children to walk on a safe route to school, rather than rely on buses.

“However, we don’t agree with the ‘safe’ walking route that has been proposed by West Berkshire Council and believe it poses a significant safeguarding issue.

“There is an alternative route where a path could be provided, but due to lack of forward thinking and planning, this has not been implemented by the council.”

West Berkshire Council launched a consultation process to gather opinion on the proposed cuts.

Parents, meanwhile, are organising a petition in a bid to save the bus service and hope to have the support of Wokingham MP, John Redwood, and Newbury MP, Richard Benyon.

Around 100 pupils, parents and supporters walked the route proposed by the council this morning to highlight the many dangers facing pupils.

They were joined by BBC South television crews, who plan to use the footage in news programmes later today.

Annette Smith, of Strawberry Fields, in Mortimer, said: “The route proposed by the council is totally unsafe for children.

“It’s a muddy path through the middle of secluded woods, with no lighting and no proper walkway.

“When children emerge from the woods they will then be expected to cross a road with a 60mph speed limit.

“There is no pelican crossing, traffic-calming measures or pavement on this road. Cars speed along it and It’s an accident waiting to happen.”

She added: “What the council is proposing is dangerous and I don’t want my 11-year-old daughter walking that route, particularly in the dark winter months.

“The route is completely unsupervised and unsafe.”

West Berkshire Council say they will liase with parents via the consultation process.

A spokesman said: “The only comments and suggestions that can be considered must come via the consultation.

"Therefore, I would urge the parents to ensure they comment via this channel at info.westberks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=31307”

View feedback for the council's proposals at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VBB2MKD