STAFF and parents are to be given a say on controversial plans to introduce flat fares on school buses.

But the man who brought forward the policy warned that any new concerns must be backed by fact, and not emotion alone.

Outrage greeted Blackburn with Darwen Council's proposals to charge pupils 50p each way if they travelled on school buses, no matter how far or short a distance they travelled.

Opposition councillors claimed it would put children at risk because many parents would not be able to afford the extra cash -- a rise of up to 100 per cent in some cases -- and would have to make their youngsters walk to school instead.

The proposals were originally passed in March, and would have been introduced on May 1.

But backbench councillors called the decision in for further discussion and demanded that teachers and pupils be given the chance to have a say.

Now Coun Andy Kay, in charge of regeneration, has revealed he intends to write to all schools asking for opinions first, initially delaying the bus fares decision by a month.

He said: "Any concerns need to be based on fact, not just emotion, which seemed to be part of the problem when the backbench councillors spoke about it.

"If there is evidence that this decision will cause problems, then we will try to amend it."

Coun Kay initially said it would be impossible to consult with people who use the services because the council had no record of who they were.

The only children they have records of travelling on school buses are those entitled to bus passes for travelling more than three miles.

Coun Kay had said he intended to blitz schools with a marketing campaign aimed at getting more parents to buy season tickets for their children, which would save them money anyway.

Opposition councillors said it wasn't enough. Conservative councillor Derek Hardman said: "They have never consulted with any of the parents or schools as to what effects it would have which is wrong, especially for parents who might have two children travelling by bus who could be badly effected.

"The justifications they have given for the rise including trying to stop trouble are just a joke."

And David White, headteacher at St Wilfrid's High School, Blackburn, branded the move "dangerous".

He said: "A hike will almost certainly see more children walking to school in dark mornings when it is not safe."

But Coun Kay will still make the final decision -- something which is "totally and utterly out of order" according to Liberal Democrat Paul Browne.

He added: "I am pleased he has taken heed of our concerns and gone to consultation but it should then go back to executive committee."

Under the new scheme, return fares will be available for the first time.

It is also expected that behaviour on buses will improve because children won't have to queue for as long in the afternoon as the driver will have fewer fares to issue and those which are issued will all be for 50p.