North Yorkshire County Council is considering plans to save £570,000 by cutting entitlement to free school transport for pupils who live more less three miles away from their school.

The proposals would only affect children over the age of eight. Those in post-GCSE education are not included in the changes, although there are proposals to make similar reductions, which are being considered separately.

However, there are concerns that the move may lead to operators ceasing to offer vital routes on the grounds that they have become unviable.

The idea has been mooted after the council was told it would have to find a further £74 million in budget cuts before 2020.

Arthur Barker, North Yorkshire’s executive member for schools, said: “We are very aware of the pressures on family budgets, and the issues of school transport across our rural areas.”

He added that any changes adopted would be phased in, explaining that the council had to prioritise frontline services and its statutory obligations.