BUS users have reacted with fury to suggestions that more services could be axed to help cut the county council budget.

Members of the Cheshire Bus Users' Association say they will fight any plans that could lead to a further reduction in services in Mid Cheshire.

According to the consultation, cuts to the bus budget are one of the ways that council bosses could be able to balance the books.

The county is asking the public to speak out on how the authority should respond to what it calls the 'substantial financial challenges' surrounding its budget during the next financial year.

It says bus contract prices have increased significantly above inflation - averaging more than 25% over the last four years - and those increases appear to continue. Therefore, the cost for public transport, home-to-school and social-care transport would increase by almost £2m a year.

Bosses suggest ways of saving £400,000 per year include having fewer evening services, fewer services primarily aimed at schoolchildren, fewer Sunday services and reviewing Dial-a-Ride and other community transport.

They stress no cuts are actually planned - and that finance chiefs are effectively putting their cards on the table in order for residents to tell them which services they rate as being a priority.

But bus users fear they could be hit once more, having just fought a long campaign to reduce the amount of services axed during 2004-05's budget review.

John Bennion, of the Cheshire Bus Users' Association, said: 'We are fighting for the people of Northwich, Winsford and Middlewich, all of whom have suffered greatly during cutbacks in recent years.

'Local people are already experiencing difficulty getting to and from work, while parents no longer know if they can safely put their children on buses and get them home again at night. That means more people are driving their children to school, making roads around schools even more congested.

'There is a good number of people who will suffer because they won't be able to access facilities or shops if any more routes are scrapped.'

Steve Wilkinson, chairman of the Environmental Strategy Panel, said the budget consultation is in its early stages and said: 'The document is out there to be commented on by taxpayers and stakeholders.

'We would urge people to comment, not only on this item but on the budget as a whole, and perhaps even tell us where they think we should be spending more money - and that could include bus services.'

Details of the issues facing the county council and suggested options are available by visiting www.cheshire.gov.uk - click on 'Have Your Say - 2005-06 Budget Consultation'. Alternatively, call the Budget Information Line on 01244 602088 or e-mail budgetinfo@cheshire.gov.uk.