Concerned parents of autistic children who attend a Penparcau primary school have raised objections to potential changes in school transport services that the youngsters will “struggle to cope with.”

Ceredigion council is currently undertaking a tendering exercise for school taxi and transport services for children with additional learning needs, including autism, and have written to parents and carers to make them aware.

Parents at Llwyn yr Eos school, which has a dedicated special needs centre, insist that if changes are made to save money it would harm the children who “thrive and live by routine”.

One parent, who did not want to be named, told the Cambrian News that “once again Ceredigion council are putting money before children’s needs”.

“Autistic and children with learning difficulties are having their school transport disrupted due to cuts,” the parent said. “Tenders have been submitted and regardless of how children or parents feel taxis are losing their contracts of three years to other companies by undercutting them.

“These children thrive and live by routine but will be expected to cope with these changes. It’s totally unacceptable.

“It’s time this council considered the children’s and parents’ feelings in their decision making, it’s not all about the money.”

A council spokesperson said: “Making sure that children and young people have the best type of transport to school is very important for the council.

“We also need to comply with the law when buying services like transport, by doing so in a fair and open way.

“The needs of children and young people are carefully considered and we make every effort to solve any issues that could happen when there are changes to the service.

“A change in service providers should have no impact on the level of service."

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now