CAMPAIGNERS handed in a petition to Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet yesterday calling for it to abandon plans to scrap free school transport.

On Tuesday the council will make a decision on whether to stop funding free school transport for children unless they go to their nearest school.

But this policy has been controversial and campaigners have been fighting it.

The Oxon School Bus Action Group handed in a petition to the county council which has been signed by 4,087 people.

Sue Moon, co-ordinator of Oxon School Bus Action Group, said: “The people of Oxfordshire have spoken. Their overwhelming message to the county council is that they do not want councillors to implement these proposals in their name.

“If the council cabinet decides to ignore this message at their decision meeting on February 4, they run the risk of breaking the trust that was given to them by the people of Oxfordshire less than a year ago.”

The county council says that if it only funds taking pupils to their nearest schools, this will save up to £2m.

But a report to the cabinet next week admits there is a “clear majority” opposed to this.

If agreed the proposal would take effect for new entrants to schools from the start of term in September 2015.