I refer to the front page headlines on November 1 "A long trek to school", which reported on the withdrawal of the council taxi service on October 20 for special needs pupil Louise Cox.

How can any caring parents be expected to allow a child of limited abilities to walk along a route consisting of such heavy traffic and other dangers without supervision?

It also seems totally unreasonable to expect her mother to walk the one hour journey to school with her, to walk back home and then do the same journey to collect her, making a total distance of nearly 12 miles per day and four hours walking time.

New Labour's election chant was "education, education, education".

Everybody in this country of school age has a fundamental right to education and by failing to take into consideration the full requirements of Louise, a special needs pupil, I suggest that the council is not only depriving her of a basic right but may also be in direct contravention of the new European legislation on human rights.

It seems unbelievable that this type of deprivation for the most vulnerable of people in society is taking place in the fourth richest country in the world and in the 21st century.

In a civilised society it is reasonable to expect to see progressive improvements in all aspects of service provision, but once again Swindon Borough Council has proved that under its management the public must expect retrogressive policies especially for the most vulnerable and least able to stand up for their rights.

Recently the allowances for Swindon Borough councillors have doubled, yet once again we are witnessing another cutback to an essential service.

This can only be regarded as insensitive and bad management practice.

Mrs E FELL,

Ellingdon Road,

Wroughton,

Swindon