STAFF and pupils angered by proposals to change the way they get to school have launched an online campaign against the plans.

This week the headteachers at the Dr Challoner's schools in Amersham and Little Chalfont hit out at plans to merge the bus routes that take pupils to both schools.

They say it will lead to unacceptably long journey times for pupils in the morning and boys at the Grammar School in Amersham having an additional wait of at least half an hour at the end of the school day.

Buckinghamshire County Council, which is currently consulting on the plans, say the proposals are aimed at cutting costs. They have also said no decision has been made over the scheme, with council bosses investigating to see if the planned changes are viable.

But Ian Cooksey, headmaster of the High School for girls in Little Chalfont, this week claimed in a letter to parents that the leader of the council, Martin Tett, had told him he was "not aware of the specific proposal" being put forward.

He also hit out at a failure by the authority to "engage meaningfully" with the schools.

In response to the proposals a petition protesting against the plans has been set up on the Bucks County Council website.

As of 10am today the petition has been signed by 170 people.

To view the petition, which runs until July 10, go to https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=907.