'DEVASTATING' plans to end free school transport for students with special needs have been condemned by more than 1,200 people.

Students aged 16-25 on an education, health and care plan are currently entitled to free travel to and from their nearest suitable school, but Oxfordshire County Council is considering scrapping this to cut the £0.6m annual cost.

The proposal would mean the 124 students who currently use the service would either have to pay for the council's provision or arrange alternative transport.

More than 1,200 people have signed a petition set up by Damian Haywood, a parent governor at Mabel Prichard School in Blackbird Leys, lobbying against the plan.

His son Matias, 15, attends the special school and would be among those affected by the proposal if it goes ahead.

Last month he spoke about the ‘lifeline’ service and accused the council of leaving children ‘out in the cold’.

On the change.org petition page, he added: “This will have a devastating effect on families who are already finding it difficult due to the complex needs of their children.

“Further disruption to these families will lead to untold harm by restricting travel to appropriate educational placements and services.”

Pupils would have access to the council’s ‘spare seat’ scheme under the proposal.

But this only applies for youngsters aged 16-19, and there would be an annual charge of £352 - inflating to £658 if they live more than three miles from the school.

Labour county councillor Emma Turnbull said current free transport ‘transforms lives’ and branded its removal ‘poorly thought-through’.

She said: “This short-sighted proposal would be disastrous for young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Oxfordshire.

“SEND transport helps young people with special needs and disabilities to continue in education or training beyond 16, fulfil their potential and live independently.

"Without access to transport, they will be stranded at home and the council will have to find other ways to meet statutory obligations to provide their education.”

She called for the council to instead make savings by returning SEND transport provision in-house.

Council spokesman Paul Smith said: “It’s important to stress that no decision has yet been taken on the proposals.

“We fully understand concerns being raised and the council’s cabinet will be looking very carefully at the feedback from the consultation when it comes to make its decision during the summer.”

Public consultation ran from Feb 27 until April 30, and it is thought a decision could be made in mid June.