THE leader of Malvern Hills District Council has called for an urgent meeting with First Bus bosses to persuade them to reconsider planned service cuts.

In an open letter to the company, Cllr David Chambers warns that the changes would leave many residents at risk of isolation, particularly in rural areas.

The bus company has now responded and it is hoped a meeting will take place in early September.

Welland resident Melanie Daffin says that the changes would make it impossible to commute to her job at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

"I used to have a job at hospital in Gloucester, but they cut the bus service there and I got a job in the Worcester hospital," said Miss Daffin, aged 18, a lab technician.

"Now if these new cuts go ahead, I won't be able to get to and from work. I can't drive because of surgery I have had to my elbow, and my parents can't drive me to and from Malvern every day to get public transport."

Cllr Chambers is concerned that the loss of a direct bus link to Worcestershire Royal Hospital would have a significant impact on residents.

Of the 24 routes affected by the changes, due to be brought in from September 17, nearly half of them affect communities in the Malvern Hills district.

More than 5,400 households in the district do not have access to a vehicle and over 1,300 of them are households where the residents are in work.

Cllr Chambers said: “For many people in this district, their local bus service provides their only means of getting around.

“This is not only crucial to allow them to access employment opportunities, attend GP appointments and do their shopping, but is also a vital link to the outside world.

“I completely understand that these services are commercial routes but I believe First Bus need to give them more time to become embedded and operate efficiently."

“I hope they will take up the opportunity to come and meet with me and my fellow councillors to discuss these drastic reductions in, and withdrawal of, services.”

Over 60 parishioners attended a meeting hosted by County Councillor Tom Wells and Welland Parish Council about the cuts.

Cllr Wells said the proposed cuts bore no resemblance to the current timetable and there was little consideration of the practical needs of the passengers.

It was pointed out that with the new timetable, passengers could get to Upton Upon Severn, but would have to wait seven hours to get back home.

Also, the late afternoon return service from Worcester (16.45) is too early for anyone who works a conventional eight-hour day.

The parishioners were urged to contact Worcestershire Council about these cuts.