Parents says safety of children is being neglected by forcing them to walk through woods and across 60mph roads with no pavement

WBC want to scrap the free service between Mortimer and Willink School in Burghfield from April 2016 in order to save £123,500 per year.

It is one of 48 cost-cutting measures being considered after WBC were told to save £10.8 million from its budget next year.

But angry parents accuse WBC of neglecting childrens' safety by suggesting an alternative walking route through dense woodland and across the 60pmh Goring Lane and Hollybush Lane where there is no pavement or crossing.

More than 200 parents – who have formed a Save Our Buses protest group – attended a public meeting at Willink School on Monday night where WBC officers and local councillors discussed the controversial plans.

John Harris of SOB said: “Forcing children to cross a 60mph road at a four-way junction with no pavement or crossing is not safeguarding them. The council has given no consideration whatsoever to children crossing the road.”

Other Mortimer parents highlighted the dangers posed along the woodland path.

Tim Pounder stated: “We live next to the woods and I walk the dogs there every day.

“It is wet, boggy and undulating. It is dangerous. I wear walking boots and I have taken a few tumbles myself. It is not a safe route for children, particularly in winter.”

More than 230 children in Mortimer are eligible for the free bus service, which the council was forced to provide due to there being no safe walking route.

However, WBC now say the proposed route is 'available' and must be considered in order to balance the books.

WBC currently spends £1.6 million each year on transport to school and (check) Ian Pearson, head of education, told the meeting: “Our starting point is that we meet our statutory duties.

“There are a number of other bus routes that are part of the overall consultation.”

However, working parent say they do not have the time to accompany children on the daily trek, which takes at least 45 minutes each way.

And they warned the council they will be left with little choice but to drive their children to school and cause more traffic congestion in the area.

Paul Hudson of SOB stated: “We are deeply concerned. The proposed route is unsafe.”

SOB's Dave Kilshaw added: “There are narrow roads, no pavement, poor visibility and no room for speeding cars to pass children walking this route.”

He also stated WBC are proposing to reducing the number of times grass verges are cut to save money. “This will make the journey even more treacherous,” he added.

WBC will make a decision at the end of the consultation process before cost-cutting plans are rubber stamped at the full council meeting in March 2016.

DO YOU THINK THE PROPOSED ROUTE IS SAFE? Leave a comment below.