A controversial decision for pupils as young as 11 to walk an isolated and unlit bridleway to school should be reconsidered, an MP has said.
From September, school children from the village of Childrey will face an almost three-mile walk to King Alfred’s Academy in Wantage.
It follows a decision by Oxfordshire County Council to cut its free school bus service and allocate a walking route for pupils instead.
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The move faced angry backlash from parents and councillors who described the route as a ‘pothole ridden dirt track’ and worried for their children’s safety after dark.
The decision was upheld following an inspection last month, despite the panel admitting the route ‘was certainly not one on which an unaccompanied child would feel safe at times.’
Wantage MP David Johnston has urged the council to reconsider.
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He said: “I have raised the suitability of this route for young children repeatedly with Oxfordshire County Council.
“It is difficult to think that any member of the council would be happy with one of their own children walking this route in the dark or bad weather.
“I once again urge them to reconsider.”
A county council spokesman said: “Children going to and from school at the start and end of the day are not walking in darkness. Other children are likely to be walking at that time so they won’t be alone even if not accompanied by a parent.”
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