PARENTS in Tumble whose children were refused free transport to school last September are still waiting for a decision from Carmarthenshire Council.

Families in the village claim they were told their children could walk to Ysgol Maes yr Yrfa along the cycle path, although Carmarthenshire Council deny parents were given this advice.

Many parents appealed against the council's decision and claim they are still waiting for the outcome.

Jenny Williams from Tumble said: "By the end of January they know how many people want transport to school. It shouldn't take until the end of June for them to sort it out."

Mrs Williams was sent a letter on June 29 from Carmarthenshire Council to say her son was not eligible for free transport.

"We appealed in July," she added.

"It's March now and we're still being disregarded by everyone.

"I feel I'm being ignored.

"So many families appealed the council decided to look at it again."

Concerns have been raised about the safety issue of allowing young children to walk along the cycle path. Children at 11 or 15 not capable of defending themselves," added Mrs Williams.

"I wouldn't walk it with my child especially during the winter.

"It's more than a three-mile walk, and you have to cross two main roads."

In October Mrs Williams received a letter from the council confirming a senior officer was undertaking distance check and safety assessment.

"We're in March and it's still not been done," she said. "We still don't know when it's going to take place."

Carmarthenshire Council traffic management manager John McEvoy said: "A report on the home to school route safety assessments will be completed by the end of this week."