North Yorkshire MPs urged to join Parliamentary debate on controversial Dales school transport policy

Liberal Democrat Tom Gordon has urged North Yorkshire MPs to join a Parliamentary debate on controversial changes to home-to-school transport, which parents have said are “killing the Dales”.

The Conservative-run local authority brought in plans last year to restrict free home-to-school transport to pupils’ closest schools, which it said will save £3m a year from its budget.

North Yorkshire Council said this is required to cut back on costs, and puts it into line with other local authorities around the country.

However, furious parents have been protesting this as it has meant children going on dangerous, ungritted roads over the tops of the Dales in winter or forsaking their free buses to school.

It’s been a particular issue in the Upper Dales, where previously youngsters largely travelled by coach along low-level A roads to Richmond.

It is understood that more than 1,000 families have been affected, with more than 200 appeals and 20 ombudsman cases in 2025 alone.

Now, Harrogate and Knaresbrough MP Mr Gordon has secured a debate on the subject in Parliament next week, and has urged all North Yorkshire MPs to attend.

He is expected to describe the changes, which have been costing some parents around £900, as “a tax on getting to school”.

Ahead of the debate, he said: “Too many families across Harrogate and Knaresborough, and more widely across North Yorkshire, are being affected by changes to home to school transport arrangements.

“I hope colleagues from across North Yorkshire will attend and contribute constructively to the discussion, so that the full impact of these changes can be properly understood.

“I have already been contacted by a significant number of constituents who have outlined how these changes are affecting their children’s ability to get to school safely and on time, and the strain it is placing on family budgets.

“These experiences matter, and they deserve to be heard at the highest level.”

He added: “If you have been affected by changes to home to school transport, I want to hear from you,” he added.

“Real stories from local families will help strengthen the case for a rethink and a fairer approach.”

David and Helen Thomas, in Oughtershaw, in Upper Wharfedale, are one of several families who have lost appeals against the decision by the council, despite arguing that the school route to Hawes over Fleet Moss is often impassable during the winter due to snow and ice and completely unsuitable for use by school transport.

The couple say sending their children, Willow and Ash, in a taxi - provided by the council - over the moors to Hawes is too dangerous in winter.

They moved to the Dales five years ago and run a farm diversification scheme with Mr Thomas’ parents.

He said that if the controversial policy had been in place then, they would not have moved to the area.

“It will genuinely be the death of these communities and that’s not hyperbole,” he added

North Yorkshire Council’s assistant director for education and inclusion, Amanda Fielding, said: “Our home to school travel policy ensures fairness and consistency for families across the county and is in line with national legislation set out by the Government.

“Rising costs of delivering our home to school transport duties have now exceeded £52m making it one of the top three areas of the council’s spending. This revised policy supports longer term sustainability.”