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Leeds campaigners celebrate victory against axing of disabled children's transport

LEEDS COUNCIL has suspended plans to axe school transport for youngsters with severe disabilities and special educational needs.

The proposal to withdraw minibus transport provision would have affected infants, and young people aged 16 and over.

Parents formed Disability Empowerment Action Links Leeds (Deal) in March and, with the local Unite Community, they staged protests and lobbied councillors to win support from MPs and the public.

The council said this week that it would suspend the plan, which would have cut £830,000 from the budget, for a year so it could be reworked.

Deal’s Sarah Godfrey said: “It is good that our children’s travel arrangements will not be affected for the rest of their education and that their normal routine — important to their education — will be continued.

“Escorted travel also helps hard-pressed parents who face the considerable demands of caring for children with complex needs as well as other pressures.

“We look forward to working with the council in developing a fair policy for the children in the future.”

Labour Councillor Jonathan Pryor, executive member for learning, skills and employment, said: “We are acutely aware that these decisions are extremely sensitive for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and their families and we have always endeavoured to work closely with them to ensure that not only are their views heard but that they inform any changes in policy.”

Deal’s campaign was featured in the Star’s Campaign of the Week column on Saturday June 2.

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