SIR – I am glad Councillor Jackie Whiteley has spoken out about Bradford Council’s decision. By removing ‘discretion’ when considering applications for free school transport, half the children in Burley in Wharfedale are likely to receive no help despite living more than three miles from any school! This is the distance over which free transport is provided.

I am bemused as to why this decision has been taken without considering the effect on some areas of the district. By saying unless children go to their nearest school they won’t get any help, on a technicality, they will deny help to some families in our village.

Half the village is nearer to Ilkley Grammar School and half to Guiseley School, but our primary schools are feeder schools for Ilkley Grammar and they automatically get a place there.

I am sure people in Burley in Wharfedale would like to have their say, so I have registered a petition on Bradford Council’s website. There are copies in shops and cafes around the village.

I hope Bradford Council will reconsider. I would hate to think this cost-cutting exercise is deliberately and needlessly making life difficult for families in Burley in Wharfedale.

Gerry Barker, Menston Old Lane, Burley in Wharfedale