A MOTHER has warned that proposed changes to school transport for disabled youngsters could be devastating for families.

A Bradford Council consultation into its travel assistance policy ends at noon on Sunday and a final decision will be made later this year.

Some of the changes could included disabled children being taught to use public transport rather than taxis.

Karen McNulty, of Elm View, Steeton, has a 17-year-old daughter with Down's Syndrome and urged as many parents and carers as possible to speak out before the deadline.

The Council plans a wide-ranging shake-up of the way it provides minibuses and taxies for disabled children and those with special needs, including changes to funding and eligibility.

The consultation began last November and any changes to the travel policy will come into force after May.

Mrs McNulty said: "Parents haven't been sent details of the consultation and many are still unaware of the devastating long-term effects to children's safety."

Ilkley resident Sally Skipper has a son, Rory Brown, 11, with special educational needs and also fears that not enough people know about the consultation.

She said: "There will be an awful lot of parents that won't understand what is going on. There are about 800 families in receipt of transport for special needs children. I'd guess about half of parents aren't fully aware of what is going on."

She does not feel the proposals take into account that many of the children will have specific needs when it comes to school transport.

The proposals include assessing each child's ability to travel independently, promoting the use public transport for children who attend mainstream schools, and introducing travel training for some children from the age of 11.

Taxis could only be used in "exceptional circumstances," some families might have to share taxis and pick-up and drop-off points could be introduced.

There could also be new criteria for deciding who needs an escort travel, a reduction in free travel for students aged over 16 and changes to the review and appeal system.

Councillor Ralph Berry, the executive Member for Children's Services, said: "The Council is facing unprecedented cuts to its budget and we need to look at how we can make savings while protecting services to the most vulnerable.

"The proposed changes would pave the way for a culture change in the way transport assistance is provided in the future and will look to give individuals greater control over their own lives. We are carrying out this thorough consultation so that we listen carefully to people's views."

Details of the Council's proposed changes to its travel assistance policy can be found at www.bradford.gov.uk by clicking on the 'consultations' box.