WINCHESTER — Parents in Kings Worthy rallied against Hampshire County Council’s decision to cut a dedicated school bus route to The Henry Beaufort School. Dozens will gather outside the council’s offices here on February 26 to voice their opposition.

The bus, which ferries pupils from the village to the school on Priors Dean Road in Harestock, stops running April 13. Council officials propose a walking route instead. It crosses the junction of Springvale Road and Down Farm Lane. Children would then trek several unmade roads for three miles each way.

Louise McCarthy lives on Lovedon Lane. Her 12-year-old daughter attends the school. She told the parents aim to make their disagreement clear. “We do not believe that the route is safe for our children to walk,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy praised support from others. She highlighted Cllr Jackie Porter, the Lib Dem ward councillor for Itchen Valley. “She has been very supportive,” McCarthy said. Parents walked the route in December. Soaking rains left everyone drenched. McCarthy called the three-mile daily hike dangerous, especially with this winter’s harsh weather. The school lacks space for wet gear, she added.

Amy Nichols and Jonathan Poulter, both parents at the school, will address the council on February 26. Two pupils join their deputation. Nichols said the cuts impact roughly 183 students. “I think we are all feeling quite upset,” she said. “Imagining my 11-year-old walking six miles a day to school and back is upsetting.”

Other groups share the concerns. Headbourne Worthy Parish Council sent a letter to the council deeming the walking route a poor choice, according to Nichols. An independent report echoes that view. It concludes the path lacks safety. Parents who scouted it agree.

Hampshire County Council has not detailed why it chose cuts now. Officials maintain the walking route meets safety standards. The Henry Beaufort School did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

McCarthy expressed gratitude for backing from Porter and others. She stressed the dangers of unlit, unpaved roads. Vehicles speed through the area, parents say. Recent storms turned paths to mud. Children as young as 11 would handle it alone.

Nichols pointed to the parish council’s letter as key evidence. The independent assessment, commissioned by parents, flagged missing sidewalks and blind corners. No streetlights line most of the route. Rush-hour traffic adds risk at the Springvale-Down Farm junction.

The protest caps weeks of pushback. Parents launched a petition last month. It gathered hundreds of signatures in days. Council meetings drew overflow crowds. Still, officials held firm on April 13 as the end date.

February 26’s event starts at 10 a.m. Organizers expect 50 or more attendees. Poulter and Nichols prepared a 10-minute deputation. Pupils will speak too. They plan to describe daily routines and fears about walking.

Council leaders promised to hear the group. No vote follows immediately. Decisions on bus services hinge on budgets and usage data, officials said earlier. The Henry Beaufort route carried steady numbers before the cut announcement.

Parents vow to keep fighting. McCarthy called the bus vital for working families. Without it, some may drive or pull kids from school. Nichols fears broader impacts on attendance and safety across Kings Worthy.