THE Free Press challenged Cllr Peter Fox, cabinet member for lifelong learning, to walk the route with parents and children.

The challenge was to include the councillor carrying the equivalent weight in books, musical instruments, cookery items and PE kit 11-year-olds will be expected to carry.

We suggested it should be done in the rain, after dusk, as children will have to do in winter.

Cllr Fox refused the challenge, saying: "I will not come down to that situation. I am elected to represent people and will not be ridiculed. I do not agree with the necessity of the walk. I have explained to people their right of appeal. We are only adhering to policies. To move outside of that would set a dangerous precedent. I have been told the route is safe. "Clearly as a mature man with a grown-up family, I understand what it is like for a child to walk a long way.

"At the moment I do not see any purpose in walking the route for opposition's political gain. I am not unsympathetic with the situation. We regret there is a situation.

"Policy is policy, if we deviate from it we will have to provide free transport to all children in the county. We are already the most generous council with free transport."