COUNTY council Lib Dem leader Nick Ireland claims that some pupils are being asked to walk along unlit roads, often without pavements, to reach school bus stops.

He said that there had also been a significant increase in the number being required to walk over a mile to get to and from their pick-up point.

“Is this a change in DCC transport policy or the outcome of the lack of control over routing decisions of the One School, One Operator, contractors?” he asked.

But he was told that policy had not changed and the council was unaware of any pupil being asked to exceed guidelines.

“Dorset Travel who lead on transport within the county council have been aware of a few calls about routes where parents have expressed concern. We are not aware of any which are outside of policy, as we work closely with the operators and still maintain contact with parents who raise concerns to us,” said cabinet spokesman Daryl Turner.

He said there would be an independent review of routes where parents had expressed safety concerns.

“They also highlight the policy that primary age children should be accompanied along routes and any necessary personal protective equipment (reflective clothing) should be considered.”

He said that service director Mike Harries had already been in contact with Cllr Ireland, who represents the Linden Lea ward, and would discuss specific issues outside the meeting.

Mr Turner suggested that parents might be confused, in some cases, about where distances were measured from.

“The concerns raised are not contrary to the policy which is from the start of the public highway not the threshold of the property – ie gate to gate, not door to door.”

He said the authority would work with parents to iron out any concerns.~

“Some 7,500 pupils are transported by the travel team and most get there without any issues,” he told Wednesday’s county council cabinet meeting.

He said that while the council seldom got praise he read out out a letter from a Beaminster parent who thanked the transport team for “going the extra mile” to sort out a problem for her daughter and three other pupils.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Harries said there had been a problem with “a limited number” of bus passes not getting to pupils in time for the start of term – but said that arrangements had been made for those wearing school uniform to be transported whether they had a current pass, or not.

The county council operates 124 separate school routes using 68 contractors, involving around 1,000 vehicles and more than 1,300 drivers.