More than 800 sign petition on cuts to Dudley special needs travel

The 859 signatories have also objected to plans to close two centres supporting children with speech and language difficulties in the borough.

The level of objection has prompted council bosses to extend its consultation on the matter, meaning a final decision will be delayed.

Dudley Council is seeking to save a total of £27 million over the next three years. Bringing in both proposals would save the council more than £250,000 each year.

The authority currently pays for dozens of children with additional needs to travel to specialist nurseries in the borough. But it says it is not legally required to provide the service.

Marc Carter, who runs the WeLoveCarers charity in Brierley Hill, said:

"I am very pleased with the numbers we have got signing this petition, but I'm not surprised because it is such an emotive issue.

"It shows that Dudley Council need to be talking to people and looking at the alternatives available.

"We know there has got to be savings and there are lots of things to be cut but we simply don't see how these proposals will save money.

"If the transport is cut there will need to be more local provision in existing nurseries. We are not talking about one or two nurseries we are talking about them all."

The council currently pays for 49 children with additional needs to travel to specialist nurseries in the borough.

Campaigners have labelled the plan as 'immoral' and say they will fight the cost-cutting proposals.

But leaders claim they have been forced to consider axing the service after cutbacks by Government.

Mr Carter knows first hand the value of the service having previously used it to transport his autistic son to Netherton Park nursery.

He added: "Ben would not have coped in a mainstream busy nursery.

"I didn't have a car and I lived near Russells Hall at the time so the service was vital. Realistically without the service Ben wouldn't have gone to nursery."

Under the proposed cuts two centres supporting children with speech and language difficulties in Dudley will also close.

Parents say they have been left fearing their children could be placed into mainstream schools where they 'would not be able to cope'.

From September, Dudley Council is proposing to deliver the specialist service at just one site, Hob Green Primary School in Stourbridge.

This would mean centres at St Margaret's at Hasbury Church of England Primary School in Halesowen and Quarry Bank Primary School will close.

The changes will see the total number of places available drop by eight, leaving parents facing an uncertain future.

The petition states: "We believe that access to appropriate specialist provision and support for our most vulnerable children and their families should be made easier, not harder.

"These cuts will adversely affect Dudley children with the most severe and complex special needs, and their families.

"It will reduce access to appropriate specialist provision and education for these children, impacting upon their development, well-being and future life chances."