CHILDREN with special needs could be forced to get a bus to school on their own if plans to axe their private transport goes ahead.

Furious parents are up in arms at education bosses proposals to abolish the specialist bus services that pick up pupils from their homes and take them straight to school.

Instead, Trafford youngsters will be issued with a travel pass to use on public services.

But worried parents have collected a 1,000-plus signature petition in protest at the scheme.

Mum Jennifer Simcock of Oldfield Brow says her 11-year-old daughter Katie, who has speech and reading problems, wouldn't be able to cope with the journey to Manor High school in Sale on her own.

And she told SAM: "I think it's disgusting. Although Katie won't be affected until next year, it's a very worrying time for us."

The council has held a series of meetings to gauge public opinion about the planned changes and parents will be able to appeal if they feel their child still needs specialist transport.

But Jennifer is not convinced, saying: "It all comes down to cost-cutting and I think the decision has already been made.

"Children with special needs are much more vulnerable than others and need to be protected. They don't see the danger signs and tend to think everyone is their friend - they could so easily be led astray."

But Jim Waddington, assistant director of education says the move is a positive one for both parents and their children.

For he told SAM: "As well as providing children with more flexibility, we hope this new system will help them learn to be more independent.

"These proposals will also make better use of the £7 million Trafford pays to GMPTE each year. The vast majority of comments we have received have welcomed these changes."

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