Campaigners were today celebrating a partial victory in their battle to keep free transport to church secondary schools.
Parents and teachers in Essex protested about plans to start charging £100 a term travel fees for children to reach the nearest Catholic schools
However, it now seems certain that Essex County Council will continue to subsidise existing pupils, although new pupils starting in September 2004 and beyond will have to pay.
The fees will not apply to low income families and large families will get a discount.
The change follows a consultation on the charges, in which there were 1,000 letters of protest and only five letters of support.
There was also a 2,500-name petition against the move.
The final decision will be made at a special full council meeting on Friday.
Published Tuesday November 18, 2003
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