Two MPs have urged the public to have their say on Hertfordshire County Council’s bus consultation which could see services cut in North Herts and Stevenage.

The Comet: Oliver HealdOliver Heald (Image: Archant)

The county council is considering withdrawing funding for bus services running after 6.30pm and Sunday services in order to save £700,000, and opened a consultation last month.

Now Conservative MPs Sir Oliver Heald and Stephen McPartland are calling on constituents to make their feelings known following widespread criticism of the proposal.

The authority currently funds 119 services – 25% of all Hertfordshire services – at an annual cost of £3.8 million. It has been proposed to cut 39 of these which would disrupt an estimated 200,000 bus user trips.

Sir Oliver, MP for North East Herts, said: “I know that many of my constituents rely on using the bus and I encourage them to make their views about the consultation known by responding to it. Those constituents that do not have access to a computer could consider using computers at their local library.”

Stevenage’s MP Mr McPartland said: “We are very lucky here in Stevenage to have such a comprehensive bus network. So, it is very important that local people get involved in the consultation and make it clear what services are important to them.”

Once the consultation closes on October 8, the findings will be presented at the county council’s highways and waste panel in November to be discussed by a cross-party group of councillors.

A recommendation will then be made to HCC’s cabinet, which will make the final decision.

If agreed, any changes to services will be introduced from April 2015.

To comment, visit consult.hertsdirect.org/bus-services.

Paper copies of the consultation can be made available by calling 0300 123 4050 or emailing hertsdirect@hertfordshire.gov.uk.