CHILDREN and councillors braved winding country roads together to settle a dispute about free transport.

Three members of Dorset County Council decided to go the extra country mile – or two – to find out if children could walk safely to Cheselbourne Village School.

Rules say four to eight-year-olds who live two or more miles from their school are entitled to free transport, but seven children in Melcombe Bingham live 1.8 miles away.

The council says transport can be provided over lesser distances if there is no reasonably safe route for an accompanied child to walk.

And parents who see the school bus pass them by each day with plenty of empty seats on board argue their route is too dangerous.

Bonnie Stevens, 38, of Cross Lanes, Melcombe Bingham, joined the group with her two children Alby, 8, and Jolyon, 4.

She said: “There was a good long line of us and the school bus passed us by with about two children on it.

“The council told us 30 cars and two tractors passed by in one quarter of an hour spell but it only takes one car.

“There’s no mobile phone signal on the route so if there was an incident you couldn’t phone anyone.

“I understand they need to have a cut-off point of two miles for the free transport as this is public money and we are two-tenths of a mile below it.

“But if the school was going on a trip they wouldn’t dream of walking them along those roads.”

The parents have gone through the council’s appeals procedure to become eligible for the bus service, which began this academic year when the catchment area of the school changed.

Headteacher Ann Herridge was delighted the council checked the route.

She said: “I hope the parents are successful but the council gave it their best shot.

“It’s very positive that they’ve taken the time and trouble to walk the route with the children at the right time in the morning.

“I’m concerned about all of the children because we don’t have any pavements here at all and the roads are very narrow and windy with big tractors and huge lorries.

“There is a lot of traffic with the Thomas Hardye and middle school buses as well as the other children being driven to school.

“I understand it’s difficult if the council set a precedent with us which might make everyone jump on the bandwagon.”

Councillor Peter Gregson joined fellow councillors Susan Jefferies and Tim Cook. They were joined by Phil Farmer from children’s services on the 8am walk.

Coun Gregson said: “We saw the route at the time that people travel to find out how difficult it is. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I see what their problem is but we’ve got to go and make our minds up about it.”

The council’s appeals committee is expected to make a decision before Christmas.