ESSEX County Council has rejected calls to fund special bus services in the wake of its new transport policy forcing parents to pay out hundreds of pounds to get their children to school.

Essex Council County has steadfastly refused to change the rule that only allows free transport to a child’s nearest school – instead of to any catchment school – for children aged 8 to 16 who live over three miles away or for under eights who live more than two miles away.

The council says the policy – introduced in 2015 – is necessary to save money but campaigners say worried parents are forced to pay hundreds of pounds for commissioned school services.

Councillor Julie Young said that parents in Wivenhoe have had little option but to pay £600 per child to get a place on a commissioned service after the 87 bus service stopped running.

But asked by her whether the council could use the Wivenhoe to Brightlingsea route as a pilot for such a franchise arrangement, the ECC Cabinet Member for Education Ray Gooding said taxpayers could not be expected to fund special transport policies.

He said: “She is, of course, well aware of the statutory and policy position in that there is no requirement for councils to make transport arrangements for pupils who are not entitled, where parents have chosen a school further away than a nearer available one.

“The council’s policy is consistent and equitable for all children in the county.

“There can be and is no justification for the wider Essex taxpayer to fund any special arrangements for any specific areas based upon the preference of a particular school, above another closer school.

“In regard to Councillor Young’s comments about bus franchising and other powers included in the Bus Services Act 2017, at this time the council is in the process of reviewing and revising its passenger transport strategy and has not finalised the approach it intends to adopt towards the future regulation of the transport network in Essex.”