PARENTS of children who attend a York special school say City of York Council has “put children's lives in danger” by reorganising a taxi contract to save money.

The taxi contracts to transport children from Hob Moor Oaks and Applefields School switched from individual organisations to Streamline Taxis following a retendering process in July.

But parents have said the vehicles are inappropriate for their children’s wheelchairs and claim the new contracts have overlooked obligatory safety requirements.

They are appealing to the council’s taxi licensing department to examine all the taxis and to make changes.

Among many complaints, they said cars were not adequately adapted and drivers had struggled to get the children’s wheelchairs up ramps and into the vehicles.

Some taxis did not have enough head space and did not have the four anchor points as outlined in regulations to secure the wheelchairs in the taxis, they claimed.

They said one child had even missed school because she did not get a suitable vehicle.

Leigh Branton, of Huntington, whose daughter attends Applefields School, said: “It’s just an accident waiting to happen. The council have taken away our choices. They are putting children’s lives in danger.

“It really upset my daughter. She was told to put her head down when she could not get into the vehicle. Because we have a different driver, there is no consistency.

“She loves it at school but it has thrown her and she was quite anxious about it. There is no end to this.

“We have had school transport for years and we have never seen anything like this.”

His concerns were shared by Sammy Browning, of Haxby, whose daughter also attends Applefields School.

She said: “I feel that I’m sick and tired with worry about it. I just worry about her safety. I worry that the ramp could move.”

But City of York Council said that despite “teething problems” in transferring the contracts, safety checks had been carried out.

Mark Ellis, head of school services and directorate support, said: “The safety of pupils is absolutely paramount.

“Safety checks have been carried out on all the vehicles being used to transport pupils as part of the new contract arrangements. Each vehicle meets the relevant guidance and legislation criteria, including those being used to transport pupils in wheelchairs.

“We are working closely with Hob Moor Oaks and Applefield Schools and the local transport provider who has won the contract following a rigorous procurement process. All the drivers and escorts are CRB checked and are undergoing training on safeguarding and disability awareness.”

Mark Wilson, office manager at Streamline Taxis, said: “As far as Streamline is concerned, we feel it’s progressing very nicely. We are working very well in partnership with both schools and the local authority and the feedback we have had so far has been positive from both sources.”