PARENTS in Bridgwater are angry a transport service to get students with learning difficulties to college has been stopped.

One pupil now has to walk three miles to Bridgwater College to catch a minibus which takes him back past his house to the Crockers site.

Parents say the change has unsettled their children who rely on routine.

Up until now the students were picked up from home by a taxi service which would take them to and from Crockers.

But this year Somerset County Council has told families the taxi service would no longer be provided and any student with special educational needs living within three miles of the main college site must make their own way to get the transport to Crockers.

Mark Case, who lives in Wembdon Road with wife, Belinda, and son Jamie, 17, said: “It’s ridiculous.

Jamie would have to walk along that main road to the college, during rush hour, only for the bus to bring him back past our house. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Mark drives Jamie to college when he isn’t at work but they struggle the rest of the time as Belinda cannot drive due to a medical condition.

Mrs Case said: “It’s not too bad at the moment but when winter comes it always gets worse so I don’t know what we’ll do.”

Jamie had previously been picked up by taxi driver Annette Smith in a minibus and Mark and Belinda say this helped Jamie settle in to a routine in a safe and comfortable environment.

Kim Gilbert, whose 18-year-old daughter Zoe has Down’s Syndrome, now has to walk the one-mile journey with Zoe to get the minibus.

Kim said: “It’s terrible – my husband was able to drive her but now he’s starting chemotherapy so Zoe and I have to walk. I did appeal to the council but they sent a letter back saying there’s nothing they can do.

“It’s really affected Zoe. The minibus from the college means she’s travelling with other kids that she doesn’t feel comfortable with. She used to love getting the bus with Annette and is always asking where Annette is and when can she start getting on her bus again.”

A spokesperson for Somerset County Council said that if a student over the age of 16 with special educational needs lives less than three miles away from the main site it is the responsibility of the parent or carer to make arrangements to walk, escort, or drive.

The spokesperson continued: “We have checked that we are implementing our policies and if anyone has seen a change in their support it is because we are now applying our eligibility criteria more consistently.

“Should a parent or carer feel that this policy has not been applied correctly in their case then they have the right to appeal the original decision.”