Hampshire County Council is asking residents to have their say on proposed changes to its School Transport Policy, which outlines how the council provides travel assistance to children and young people across the county.

The consultation, which opened on 3 November, invites feedback from parents, carers, and local stakeholders on two key proposals that could reshape how school transport is managed in Hampshire.

The first proposal would end the Spare Capacity Seats scheme, which currently allows pupils who don’t qualify for free transport to buy spare seats on council-run school buses.

The second proposal focuses on updating and clarifying the wording of the policy, making it clearer how the service already operates.

The council says the changes aim to “give parents clearer expectations” about how school transport is delivered, while ensuring the policy remains in line with government guidance.

Officials have stressed that Hampshire County Council will continue to meet all statutory obligations to provide school transport and that some children will always be eligible for assistance due to their individual needs.

If the proposals go ahead, the revised policy will be published during the spring term of the 2025/26 school year.

At that point, the Spare Capacity Seats scheme would close to new applicants and would be phased out completely by July 2026.

Residents can take part in the consultation until 11:59pm on Sunday 7 December 2025.

Anyone wishing to respond can do so by completing the online response form available on the council’s website, or by emailing their comments to insight@hants.gov.uk with the subject line School Transport Policy Consultation.

An Information Pack and Easy Read version explaining the proposals are also available online.

‘Heavy snow’ is forecast to fall over Hampshire this week.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning: “There could be snow, possibly heavy at times, developing overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday.

“There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles and passengers, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel

“There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and other services, such as mobile phone coverage, may be affected.”

Added to this, Hampshire County Council has urged motorists in a tweet to “stay #weatheraware and “for latest info on salting see @hantshighways”.

Last year Hampshire was hit by a blast of snowfall known as “The Beast From The East”, with heavy snow falling up to 15cm in some places – causing travel delays all over the county.

It caused widespread disruption with the military called in to help stranded drivers on the A31, in the New Forest. Many schools, such as Weeke Primary School, in Winchester, were closed for a number of days and the Eastleigh 10k run was called off.

Currently, the yellow warning is due to come into place at 9pm tonight and is lasting until noon on Wednesday.

Winchester residents “having a bad time” were offered support on the day described most miserable of the year.

Winchester Samaritans were available to people at the city train station to offer free teabags and advice.

“Today is Blue Monday, but that’s not really what we want to call it – instead we call it Brew Monday. That’s because the idea is to take a teabag, make a cup of tea, and share it with a friend in order to talk to people and open up.” said a spokesperson from Winchester Samaritans.

“January is a really difficult time for so many people and a good number have already come over, taken leaflets and had a conversation. At the end of the day after work, it can be easier to both talk – and listen – to people as the stress has taken its toll and people are ready to go home.”

Winchester Samaritans now have over one hundred volunteers and can be located at 13 Upper High Street.

Blue Monday was coined by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall over ten years ago, and takes into account different factors such as weather conditions, the end of Christmas, debt, failed New Year’s resolutions and low motivation levels.