CONCERNS have been voiced over plans to scrap free transport for around 550 pupils in Blaenau Gwent.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council has launched a public consultation on plans to change its current free home to school transport for both primary and secondary school pupils.

At the moment, free travel is provided to primary age pupils who live more than 1.5 miles from school and to secondary pupils living more than two miles from school.

But under the council’s preferred option, free travel would only be provided to primary school pupils living more than two miles and to secondary pupils living more than three miles from their nearest school.

Under Welsh Government regulations this is the minimum requirement for councils to provide free travel.

A free travel grant of £150 for students aged 16-19 would also be reduced over a three-year period, with it being withdrawn completely by September 2021 under the council’s preferred option.

The proposals came under scrutiny at Blaenau Gwent council’s education and learning scrutiny committee meeting on Monday.

Cllr Malcolm Day  (Independent, Cwmtillery ward) said he was concerned about the impact of the proposals in a deprived area.

“The only way out of poverty in Blaenau Gwent is to get these kids educated,” he told the meeting.

“By withdrawing the travel grant we are going to put another block in their attainment.”

Cllr John Morgan (Labour, Georgetown) said one of the key questions was whether the proposals will affect education.

“One of the things we’ve got to look at is if taking this away is going to affect education,” he said.

“It’s going to affect attendance and attendance will affect standards at schools at the end of the day.”

Cllr Julie Holt (Independent, Abertillery) said she was particularly concerned about the impact of the proposals on students accessing post-16 education.

Cllr Joanne Collins (Independent, Llanhilleth) questioned the costs involved in meeting the challenges of the proposals.

Withdrawing free travel to the areas identified would save the council around £280,000, while scrapping the travel grant is estimated to save £146,000.

Outlining the plans, Mr Phillips said the changes would affect 800 students receiving the travel grant and 549 who currently get free travel.

Any changes would take place on a phased basis from September, 2019.

Mr Phillips said other councils, such as Newport and Torfaen, had reverted free home to school transport to Welsh Government statutory requirements, and that others were also considering the option.

More than 300 questionnaires have been completed since the public consultation was launched last Monday.

The consultation runs until Tuesday, July 17.

Find out more information by visiting blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/en/council/consultations.