PARENTS of children in Darwen choosing to send their children to faith schools outside of the town will not have to pay more bus fare under new plans.

A consultation has been under way as Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses looked to cut the subsidy for bus travel to schools.

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And at a meeting in January at Darwen Library Theatre, some parents had expressed big concerns at the prospect of being forced to pay up to £4.50 a day for their children to travel to faith schools outside the town.

But the Lancashire Telegraph understands a deal has been reached that will see St Bede’s, St Wilfrid’s and Our Lady and St John’s pay towards some of the travel costs for children travelling to their schools.

Cllr Dave Harling, executive member for schools and education, said: “The council has to make further cuts of £31m over the next three years and so we have to examine and review every area of spending.

“Stage Two of the Home to School Transport consultation has just opened and will run until May 15. Since the first consultation started there has been positive progress made, with some Blackburn schools offering to contribute to the cost of transporting their pupils to and from school.”

The deal would mean return journeys from Darwen to the three faith schools in Blackburn would still cost £2.50.

Labour’s prospective candidate for Darwen at the General Election, Will Straw, convened the meeting at Darwen Library Theatre earlier this year.

He said: “I am extremely pleased that fares will remain at £2.50 for a return journey to these schools.

“No fares will increase at other schools so long as the journey is to the nearest school or is under three miles.

“The strength of parents’ opposition and the sheer number of people who came to meetings at Darwen Library Theatre and the Barlow Institute have ensured that common sense will prevail.”

Mr Straw hopes other schools follow with will supporting the service.

“The freeze on fares to the schools in Blackburn is also due to the significant contribution to subsidy arrangements that these three schools have been willing to make.

“I would now encourage parents at schools in Bolton to encourage their headteachers to follow this lead and engage with the council on supporting the service.”