CUTS in subsidies to local bus services are being put forward by Worcestershire County Council in proposals recently outlined.

Designed to cut £3 million from the county budget, virtually no town or village will be left unscathed.

Locally, Village Hopper and Pershore Plum Line services may be severely curtailed or axed once the council subsidy is removed.

Also vulnerable are evening/weekend 551 and 382 services from/to Worcester, Pershore and Evesham.

Need we ask who will suffer most if these cuts are put into effect? It will be the elderly, those with mobility problems, village communities and the young.

These potential cuts were set out just before the festive period and responses were required during December and early January.

Am I cynical in thinking that this is a good time to announce bad news and that the council hopes this will minimise the number of hostile responses?

The proposals may be seen in detail on worcestershire.gov.uk/cm s/transport-andhighways/ bus-serviceconsultation- 2013.aspx.

However, the response questionnaire is only available online. Many of those most affected are those least likely to use the internet fluently. Thus they are further disadvantaged.

DAVID BRIDGEWATER Pershore