THE Catholic diocese is threatening a legal challenge over the decision to cut buses for hundreds of school children.

The representative of Bishop Declan Lang has told the Adver that Swindon Council “failed in its duty” to consult over the changes, which would see buses for Catholic schools phased out.

The decision is to go for a final vote tonight, and Bishop Lang’s representative, Peter Wells, has called for a rethink. If it passes, Mr Wells said the council could be left open to an expensive judicial review. In a statement he said: “The council in its urgency to make cuts and balance books has failed in its duty to consult with the affected communities.”

But Coun David Renard (Con, Haydon Wick), said: “I’m of the view we’ve gone above and beyond what is required in statute, in order to get the views of anyone who wanted to register them.”