Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters

From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today

A public consultation has opened in Caerphilly today (Monday September 16) on proposals to change school transport rules.

Some children could end up walking a total of nearly six miles a day, to and from school, under Caerphilly County Borough Council’s new proposals.

The council argues it already offers a generous school transport scheme, and its plans would bring the borough in line with Welsh Government minimum distances.

The cuts would also help council leaders address a “huge funding gap” in its budget projections for the next two years.

The local authority spent £10.7 million on school transport last year.

“The council’s transport budget is under significant financial pressure and we are one of the last councils in Wales to offer a more generous discretionary mileage policy,” a Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesperson said.

“These proposed changes have been carefully considered, but it is important that we consult those affected and fully consider the views of the community before we agree any changes in future.”

All mainstream English, Welsh and faith primary and secondary schools would be affected by the proposed changes.

For pupils in primary school, the minimum distance to qualify for council transport would rise from 1.5 miles to two miles.

For pupils in secondary school and post-16 education, the minimum distance would rise from two miles to three miles.

And the minimum distance for the council’s discretionary transport for early years and nursery pupils – which currently depends on spare capacity on school buses – could rise from 1.5 miles to two miles.

Pupils with additional learning needs who attend special schools, pupil referral units or learning support classes will not be affected by the proposals, however.

The council said any changes could come into effect in September 2026, and said the moves could help it address “significant funding challenges” as it tries to tackle an estimated £45m budget gap for the next two years.

Any cuts to school transport would be a “retrograde step” that would threaten to “limit educational opportunities” for children, a Senedd member has warned, however.

Peredur Owen Griffiths, of Plaid Cymru, also branded the proposals “particularly damaging for families without a car” and said they could also pose a logistical challenge for children in Welsh-medium education.

To take part in the public consultation on the council’s proposals, visit https://conversation.caerphilly.gov.uk/home-to-school-transport

Paper copies of the consultation form are available in the council’s libraries, including in Welsh and other languages upon request.

The council will also host a series of drop-in sessions on the proposals.

Online drop-in sessions

The consultation period ends on Monday October 28.

Meeting tonight to discuss withdrawing of services for Cwmfelinfach

Cwmfellinfach councillors Jan Jones and Janine Reed will be holding a meeting at Wattsville Football Club Islwyn Rd, Wattsville, Newport NP11 7QH at 6pm tonight (Monday September 16, to discuss the consultation.

School bus services for children from Wattsville and Brynawel, who attend primary school in Cwmfelinfach, face the axe under the proposed two-mile rule.

Parents and members of Cwmfelinfach School Governors will be in attendance.

The council have provided this service since the village of Wattsville’s school was demolished.

The councillors have been in touch with parents who have raised issues such as increasing traffic on the road in previous years, especially HGVs. The ward has an hourly bus service, which times do not co-ordinate with the schools.

Cllr Reed said: “School children will have to walk adjacent to a road which is subjected to the national speed limit of 60mph. This road out of Brynawel has narrow pavements making it difficult for parents and children to walk to school, safely.

“The pavement abruptly stops as it leaves this village, forcing parents and children to cross a very busy road, with no pedestrian crossing. Caerphilly Council are currently looking to place safety measures along this stretch of road.”