Cheshire East to consult on policy changes which could see free school transport axed for under 5s
By Belinda Ryan - Local Democracy Reporter 8th Oct 2026 Cheshire East is to consult on possible travel policy changes which could see free school transport axed for children under
By Nub News
Cheshire East Council is to consult on possible changes to its school transport policy, including ending free travel support for some children under five.
The council currently provides free travel support for eligible children attending reception from the term after their fourth birthday. These children are referred to as “rising fives”.
The statutory duty to provide travel support begins from the term after a child turns five and continues until the age of 16, where eligibility criteria are met.
Councillor Laura Crane, Cheshire East Council’s portfolio holder for children’s services, told a cabinet meeting on Thursday, October 8, that no decision had been made to introduce the changes.
She said the cabinet was being asked to approve a consultation so the potential impact on families could be assessed before any final decision.
The consultation is expected to give parents, carers, schools, governors and the parent carer forum the opportunity to comment. The council also plans to consider equality impacts, financial implications, legal advice and operational issues.
Councillor Jos Saunders opposed the proposal. She said the current policy provided travel support for eligible children in reception, while the proposed change would limit the council’s provision to its statutory duty.
Councillor Saunders said 46 mainstream children and 43 children with special educational needs could be affected if the policy were implemented.
She warned that families on low incomes might not be able to pay for transport, potentially leading some children to remain at home until the term after their fifth birthday.
Councillor Crane said the consultation would be a fact-finding exercise and repeated that cabinet was not voting to implement the policy.
Cabinet also agreed to consult on a possible change to how walking distances are measured for transport eligibility.
Currently, the distance is measured from the home gate or drive to the nearest school entrance. Under the proposed method, it would be measured from the point where the property meets the adopted highway to the nearest available school gate or entrance.