A PUBLIC transport action group has called on Cheshire County Council to reconsider plans to cut night-time bus services in Mid Cheshire.
The Cheshire Bus Users Association (CBUA) says that if the plans to cut all services to Northwich and Winsford after 7pm - plus one via Middlewich - get the go ahead, then it will open the floodgates for more to follow.
The county council currently subsidises more than 200 commercially nonviable routes at a yearly cost of £2.7m.
But tender increases averaging 35%, plus the withdrawal of seven major services by commercial operators, has left the authority facing a projected overspend of £790,000 next year.
The county council's Conservative-run executive reluctantly decided to consult on the possible closure of 20 contracts for what it described as 'thinly patronised' evening services, including those in Northwich and Winsford and one that goes via Middlewich, in an attempt to claw back £430,000-a-year.
But Liberal Democrat and Labour county councillors have 'called in' the decision to consult residents about the proposals and it will be debated by the full council tomorrow (Thursday).
And John Benyon, of the CBUA, said: 'I think it is a very negative decision for Cheshire as a whole. The road infrastructure can't keep up with the number of vehicles on it at the moment and taking these services off will be just the start. I believe there will be more cuts to follow, as councillors will be looking at other areas of waste to save money.
'I feel sorry for the youths in the area who need to use the buses to get to night classes or other things, and also the elderly people who use the bus to get to the social clubs and bingo.'
Mr Benyon also said he believes that people are put off using public transport because they do not feel safe.
He added: 'They say that there are not enough people using the bus services but a lot of people don't feel safe using public transport and I think this is a valid point.
'In Liverpool there are schemes such as police officers travelling undercover on the buses, however, around here it seems to have to get to the stage where bricks are being thrown through windows before something is done. People do not feel safe.
'If these plans go through there will be wide-ranging effects. Firstly, people who are going to work will be badly effected, as it will hit people who are going to night shifts or evening classes or something like that.
'Secondly, it will have an effect on people who go out socialising to the pub in the evening - people might take their own vehicles out on the road instead.
'There may also be an impact on jobs at the bus companies affected, if they are not running the services then surely they do not need the drivers either.
'The youths will also be hit hard, as they won't be able to go to the cinema and other things like that.'
The proposals have been put forward by the Conservative administration to help offset a projected budget over-spend, which it says has been caused by rising prices of private contractors.
Mr Benyon added: 'When the council are deciding whether or not to go ahead with these cuts I would say to them, please reconsider your views and keep the services going, as there will be Winsford and Northwich residents who do not have the means to afford private transport.'
