A CONTROVERSIAL decision to take bus passes off children who face a "dangerous" walk to school could be reviewed.

Durham County Council angered the parents of about 150 youngsters at Leadgate when it decided to stop the pupils' free travel to Blackfyne Community School, in Consett, from September.

Blackfyne pupils in Lead-gate and neighbouring hamlets have enjoyed the concession since 1984, even though the school is less than two miles from the village - the usual starting point for free travel - because the walking routes were deemed unsafe.

But a "best value" review process led to officials going to see the routes.

Even though they visited during the middle of the day in August - the height of the holiday season - rather than during term time and at a time of day when children would be going to and from school, they declared three of the four routes safe.

The move is expected to save the Labour-run council, which is looking to cut its spending after a poor financial settlement, £30,000 a year.

Parents say youngsters face heavy traffic, have to pass the entrance to a busy industrial estate and use paths that are isolated.

They have accused the council of putting money before their children's safety and say the move will lead to an increase in pupils being driven to school and that families without a car will be hit hard if forced to pay bus fares.

The decision has been "called in" by the authority's scrutiny sub-committee for developing lifelong learning, at the request of the Leadgate area's Independent councillor Watts Stelling.

It will consider on Thursday whether to investigate the issues further, which could lead to it asking the cabinet to reconsider its decision.

Coun Stelling said: "I'm glad the council has called in this decision.

"They say it is safe - but, if that is the case, why are they proposing to put in safety barriers and a pedestrian refuge?

"It needs to be looked at again, not just on the criteria of paths, lighting and parents accompanying children. They should take into account traffic flow, topography and child protection issues.