More than 1,500 free school transport places for children in parts of Cumbria could be lost. With proposed changes being reviewed by Westmorland and Furness Council. The council says the move could save almost £2 million over five years. But the plans would affect some children starting Reception, Year 7 and some post-16 pupils with SEND from 2027.
The proposals are part of a wider review of home to school transport. The council says rising costs and growing demand are putting pressure on budgets. With school transport spending rising from about £15.3 million in 2023/24 to a projected £19.6 million in 2025/26.
Who could be affected
According to the report, the biggest impact would fall on children who currently get free transport but live within the statutory walking distance of their nearest school. Or who attend a school that is not their nearest.
For some residents, the issue will not just be about transport. Whether people support the budget cuts or are worried they or someone they know could be affected, the bigger picture is the same: the council is looking to reduce services while council tax has recently gone up.
Students most impacted
The council says the worst affected group would be secondary school pupils attending a school that was not their nearest. It estimates 120 pupils would be affected in 2027/28. Rising to around 600 once the policy is fully in place over five years. Officers say that change, along with cuts affecting 49 primary school children over the same period, could save around £1 million.
The plans would also remove free transport for some children who are not yet of compulsory school age, such as four year olds. The report says 64 children would be affected in 2027/28, rising to 448 once the change is fully embedded after seven years.
SEND families could also face changes
Another major part of the review is the proposed introduction of charges for some post-16 SEND transport. The council says this would affect 87 pupils over a 2 year rollout. With potential savings of up to £94,000 a year based on the current cohort.
A further 87 pupils could be affected by the proposed introduction of a hierarchy of transport assistance, which the report says could save up to £100,000 a year.
What the council says
Westmorland Council says it will still meet its statutory duties on school transport, even if the policy changes go ahead. The consultation document says the review focuses on areas where the council currently provides support above the legal minimum.
The council has also said that no child who already has free transport under the current policy would lose it immediately. Its FAQ says any agreed changes would start with new students from September 2027 and with new transport applications, such as those linked to a house move.
That means the issue is less about children already in the system and more about what support will be available for future families making school choices.
What happens next
Councillors were due to debate the proposals at the Children, Young People and Families Scrutiny Committee on Monday, April 20, with a final decision not expected until a cabinet meeting on July 14. The formal consultation ran from February 25 to April 19.
If approved, the changes would not fully take effect straight away, but they could reshape how school transport works for many families in Westmorland and Furness over the coming years.
This is likely to leave many people asking what residents are getting in return for increased council fees.
