FRUSTRATED parents have criticised 'unfair' council rules that denied some children free school transport but dished it out to their neighbours.

From September some families in Risinghurst will have to fork out hundreds of pounds for the bus to Wheatley Park School, while neighbours – some reportedly living in the same roads as those who missed out - met criteria for a free seat.

Parents reluctant to foot the bill will either have to drive their children in themselves, allow them to brave the ‘unsafe’ walking route along the A40, or pay for public transport.

Oxfordshire County Council told Barbrann Mccann her 11-year-old daughter Roxy does not qualify for free bus use, as she lives slightly closer to Cheney School than her chosen school of Wheatley.

The 44-year-old said: “We can’t understand it. It’s ridiculous, it's one estate – why single people out? It’s one pick-up point and goes the same route.

"It is such an unfair system for a few measly points of a mile.

"There are children in the same street with the same postcode, and one is allowed free transport and one isn’t. It’s stupid.”

Oxfordshire County Council provides free transport to children attending their nearest school, if they live beyond the statutory walking distance (three miles for children aged eight or older), or if there is no safe walking route to the school.

This policy came into force in September 2015 – previously, families were eligible for free transport to either their nearest school or their catchment school.

If Roxy uses the council’s bus provision Mrs Mccann will have to pay upwards of £352 per school year, and she said about 10 other families face the same position.

She said this was 'not clear enough' during the school selection process.

Mrs Mccann’s son was granted free transport when he went to Wheatley Park several years ago, but that was when the family lived elsewhere in Risinghurst.

Another mother whose daughter missed out, who asked not to be named, said: “Someone who lives about 10 doors up, in the same postcode, is getting free transport.

“It’s a bit of a shock when someone literally round the corner has got it, it’s very unfair.

“My daughter goes to Sandhills and as far as I’m concerned, it's the feeder school for Wheatley.

“Children [on the estate] last year all got free transport, but the year before all had to pay. Now it’s half of us.

“It’s frustrating. I just think the whole system is a bit grey, there’s a bit of confusion.

“They need to make it clearer when you apply.”

A neighbour, who also asked not to be named, added: “The bit that upsets me most is that the road is deemed to be unsafe.

“How can you say some children in some way are more precious than others?

“The policy wasn’t made clear when we were looking to chose schools - it’s a bit of a minefield.

“It seems to vary from time to time, if children are lucky enough [to get free transport]. It’s so hard to find out.

“I know someone who actually lives nearer to Cheney than I do, but got free transport.”

The council insisted the reason was simply because ‘some families in Risinghurst do indeed live closest to Wheatley Park’.

A council spokesman added: “Families are encouraged to visit the council’s web pages on school transport when applying for a school place for their child, if they think they might be eligible.

“All the information is available when families apply online.”

Several parents who spoke to the Oxford Mail hope to appeal the council’s decision.