Bus cut will mean 'muddy and unsafe' walk to school

Families of pupils at a secondary school in Winchester are protesting against cuts to a bus service.

Hampshire County Council will axe the service from Kings Worthy to Henry Beaufort School from 13 April.

But parents have raised concerns about the "dangers" of the alternative three-mile pedestrian route to school.

The council said a road safety engineer had approved the route and a free bus service would still be available to low-income families and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

The change comes as the village, which has been deemed as 2.9 miles from the school, is contained within the statutory distance, as per national guidance.

This means free school transport is provided only for secondary pupils who live more than three miles away, or more than two miles if the family is on a low income.

The council said the new walking route was confirmed by a road safety engineer last summer and parents were told about the change in October 2025.

But some parents and children claim the route is "not safe".

Among those protesting outside the council's HQ last week was Poppy and her mum Carol.

"I'm worried about the route itself and how muddy and slippery and unsafe it is, and just the possible strangers that will be around the route," Poppy said.

"When we get to school we're going to be muddy, wet, tired..."

Carol said the council needs to put in a footpath, along with safe crossings and more street lighting.

Other families say they will have to resort to driving their children and car-sharing, which they argue will create more traffic.

Amy Nichols, mum of a Year 7 pupil, said: "I'm just so worried at the thought of [my daughter] walking three miles to school through fields, through unlit fields that are clogged with mud.

"It's just not an acceptable way for her to start her secondary school journey."

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said the route had been reviewed using national safety guidelines and was confirmed to be "available to walk for secondary-age pupils, with adult support if needed".

They added it did not mean pupils "must walk" and that decision "remains with their parents or carers".

"Consistently applying the policy in this way ensures fairness and equity for all pupils, and that we remain in line with national policy," they said.

"We have met with families to talk through these changes and address their concerns and have provided guidance to help them check whether their children may still be eligible for free school transport."