THE county council appears to be going round in circles over school bus provision, after deciding to axe free local transport for some youngsters living in Bulwark and parts of Thornwell.

And parents are reacting to the 'double U-turn' by planning a peaceful demonstration on Monday which could bring the town to a standstill. More than 100 people are expected to leave Bulwark shops at 8am and head through Piggy's Hill and up to the school.

The walk is one which the council says their children should use instead of the bus, but parents fear the two-mile hike isn't safe.

In July last year, the Free Press reported the uproar from parents after they learned the regular school bus service was to be axed following safety issues involving the company used by MCC at the time.

A month later, we reported the victory felt by parents and councillors, when the county council did a U-turn and laid on an extra service with a new company.

Now, it appears the council have implemented a double U-turn, saying the buses are to be discontinued from March 1.

Angry parents, of whom only a few received notification of the new proposals on Saturday, contacted the Free Press in frustration.

Many are refusing to allow their children to use the designated walk, saying the route includes area where people have allegedly been attacked. Local councillors have expressed concern about the lack of consultation over the issue.

Mum Cathy Sims, 39, whose daughters Jessica, 13, and Rachel, 11, attend Chepstow School said: "I will hold the person making the decisions responsible if they have to walk and anything happens to my kids."

Jessica said: "I don't really want to walk: it's quite a long way. I would have to get up earlier, and in the winter it is dark and its scary for little children - there is a lot of traffic about."

Rachel added: "I don't know how I would manage with my bags. Some days I will have cooking, PE, lunch and my school bags and books."

Peter Fox, cabinet member for lifelong learning said: "The original walking route through Bulwark park was identified as being unsafe. At that time it was important that transport was made available to give a safe route to school.

"Since then, we have put in policies to make the route safe. Officers of the council have reassessed and deemed it as safe.

"Any parent has a right to appeal to the directorate if they feel there is a safety issue for their children."

John Barnbrook, headteacher at Chepstow Comprehensive School, said: "I am alarmed at the situation that we find ourselves in. I understand the two-mile rule, but I am concerned that the route that the kids have to take to school is all up hill.

"There will be days when they are carrying a lot of bags to school. I am also concerned that the route includes an underpass, and passes through a park. I am worried about that in the winter time. I am also concerned that there is no direct bus route that parents can take now. I am very keen to help parents in either setting up an appropriate bus route, or look at ways this situation can be made safe.

Town mayor Cllr Armand Watts says he is looking to take the case to a tribunal.

In Caldicot, a new yellow bus scheme is to be introduced. These buses will replace existing ones used by the Comprehensive. It is a pilot scheme, and Cllr Fox confirmed if it is successful it will be rolled out through the rest of the county. He said: "I believe it will show a considerable cash saving."