PLANS to axe free transport for Knutsford Academy students living in Mobberley have advanced to a community engagement stage.

Cheshire East Council discussed the issue at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, with issues raised by councillors and a school representative.

The creation of a new pavement on the national speed limit section between Mobberley and Knutsford means an ‘available walking route’ can now be used from September 2018.

The route is around three miles long – the maximum allowed by the Department for Education – and around an hour’s walk.

The Academy’s head of marketing and business development, James Routs, said at the meeting: “As a school we are very concerned about these proposals. A number of parents have also contacted us expressing their concerns.

“Knutsford Academy operates on a dual site, connected by a link path. It is three miles to our main entrance, but our youngest students are based a further 10 minutes’ walk away.

“Part of the walk is along a section of road that is national speed limit and not lit.

“We are deeply concerned with the impact this could have on our students. We believe there is a serious risk of impacting their education and, more importantly, their overall wellbeing.”

A community engagement period will take place from September 20 to October 17. The move could save the council around £29,000, with parents of children whose free transport is taken away entitled to a subsidy.

Cllr George Hayes, CEC cabinet member for children, said: “There are children right across this borough who walk to school every day, come rain or shine, who have never had access to have that school bus. This is not out of kilter with any policy or indeed practice on the ground in many of our communities.”

Cllr Jamie Macrae said: “On the 30 section through Mobberley, the average speed is 46mph.” More vehicles travel at over 50mph than under 30mph.”

Cllr Macrae also asked for regular inspections of available walking routes across the borough, due to deterioration. Cabinet member for highways, Cllr David Brown, confirmed that they would be introduced on a more frequent basis from April.