ALMOST 200 concerned parents and teachers attended a meeting at Darwen Library Theatre amid concerns over costs of school transport.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is looking to reduce school transport subsidies, which could mean Darwen parents forking out up to £4.50 a day for their children to travel to faith schools outside the town.

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The meeting, on Tuesday night, was organised by Labour’s parliamentary candidate Will Straw, and was attended by council leader Kate Hollern and executive member for education, Cllr Dave Harling.

Also there was the headteacher, of St Bede’s Roman Catholic High School, Blackburn, Mr Des Callaghan, who spoke about the proposals he has been formulating for the school to run its own bus service at an affordable rate.

The council has previously consulted on the issue of transport fare rises, but the consultation has been criticised after only around 70 parents responded.

Will Straw said: “This is clearly a difficult issue and one that people feel strongly about but I was pleased that parents had a chance to put their questions to Cllr Kate Hollern, and Cllr Dave Harling.

“The council has been put in a very difficult position by the scale of the cuts, which have fallen disproportionately on Blackburn with Darwen.

“But I was deeply concerned by the way that the consultation was handled and by some of the proposals that have been floated.

“We must ensure as a bottom line that a solution is found that is affordable for parents.

“It was therefore very good to hear from St Bede’s headteacher, Mr Callaghan, about the proposals he has been taking forward for the school to run their own bus service at an affordable rate.

“It is absolutely critical that we ensure that fares do not need to rise anywhere close to £4.50.”

Councillor Harling, executive member for education, said: “The council has to make further cuts of £31million over the next three years and so we have to examine and review every area of spending. “The meeting was very helpful as part of the public consultation on a range of options for school transport.

“We’re very keen that parents and guardians get to have their say and I felt the meeting allowed people to do just that. “No decisions have been made yet and we are continuing to work with schools and parents on the most contentious issues. “Following the meeting the consultation will be re-opened and I am discussing the format for that with council officers now.”