CONFUSION surrounds changes to school transport funding in Worcestershire, with some parents fearing they could be left to stump up the full cost of their child's travel.

Worcestershire County Council wants to make changes to the way it funds transport to and from school, following a government policy widening entitlement to free transport.

As previously reported in your Worcester News, the council is looking to remove the automatic right of all disabled youngsters in the county to get free transport to school as of September.

Many parents have expressed anger at these plans.

Now, parents with children at faith schools have contacted us with concerns about plans to scrap reduced rate tickets for transport. Helen Normington, whose 11-year-old daughter Eleri is a pupil at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College in Worcester, said she was concerned she would have to fund the entire cost of her daughter's travel from their home in Malvern if the plans went ahead.

"We cannot afford to send her to school in Worcester at First's prices," she said.

"Our eldest son Rhys starts high school in 2009 and this means we would be unable to send him to his first choice of school either."

The family pays £100 a term towards the cost of a travel pass and the council picks up the rest of the bill.

Mrs Normington said she was under the impression she would now have to cover the full cost of her daughter's travel but the council insists parents have misunderstood the proposals.

Colin Weeden, head of raising achievement and access to learning, said: "The council will still be subsidising travel for these children.

"We are only looking to do away with the reduced rate tickets, which are those for families on low incomes.

"Under the Government's new proposals these parents will automatically be entitled to free transport so there is no need for us to provide a reduced rate ticket for them."

Mr Weeden said the Normington's pay a full contribution rate for their daughter's travel, which will continue to be provided, although it would rise from £100 to £105 a term from next year.

l The council's consultation on the plans ends on Friday, April 25.

Comments should be sent to Stephen Wheatley, Education Travel Team, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester WR5 2NP.