A family has been told their children’s free bus passes have been canceled because there is a 3-mile “safe route” to school through fields and over an unmonitored railway line .

Joe Massey said Surrey County Council’s (SCC) decision had left his family ‘disappointed’ and ‘frustrated’ after his sons’ passes were cut due to the road, which he described as “simply dangerous”, from South Nutfield to Carrington. The Redhill school was discovered by authorities.

The council has written to parents asking them to wear suitable footwear for the walk, as a farmer’s field they are passing through is prone to flooding.

Clare Curran, SCC cabinet member for children, families and lifelong learning, said: “In a difficult financial environment, the council is unable to continue funding transport families due to the establishment of a safe route. »

She explained that an annual bus season ticket for a public service costs the council £881 a year for each student and that Mr Massey’s sons were no longer eligible.

The decision was made by the Surrey Travel & Assessment team alongside the Safer Travel team.

Normally, free bus access is offered to those who live more than 3 miles from the school of their choice, and the suggested walk is 4.5 miles depending on the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mr Massey said he had two boys who would be affected, one in Year 10 and the other in Year 7.

The family claims she was “flooding through mud” when she attempted the “unsuitable” hour-long walk, which they say is more than three miles.

“It’s just dangerous,” Mr Massey added.

The father says he is “extremely frustrated” by the situation because “there is no way you are sending your child down this road.”

“We just feel disappointed and the option they gave us is just amazing.”

The counselor said the family could appeal the decision.

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• Local democracy information service