RURAL communities along a Tynedale bus route are working out whether they can continue to maintain a service which had its funding cut.

The Go North East 74 service runs from Newcastle to Hexham, heading through Ponteland, Darras Hall, Stamfordham, Matfen and Great Whittington.

At the end of 2015, it was announced that Northumberland County Council would no longer provide a subsidy for the evening services, as part of an attempt to slice £200,000 from bus subsidy costs.

Parishes along the route decided to fund two Saturday night services from their own precepts for 2016/17, and they are now in discussions over whether they can continue to do so for the next financial year.

Ponteland Town Council has agreed to pay towards the £4,973 needed to keep the services running, and councillors are hoping that the other parishes that benefit from the service will also make contributions.

At a meeting of Ponteland Town Council on Wednesday, January 11, councillors noted that use of the service had increased.

The last bus leaves Eldon Square at 11.20pm and arrives in Hexham at around 12.30am.

At the meeting, Coun.Veronica Jones, who represents Ponteland West on Northumberland County Council, said: “There is no county council subsidy, and that is for no evening services across the county, from what I am told. I have said over and over again that, particularly in rural areas, it is needed.

“The county council said its priorities are economic and education – but economic and education do not justmean 9 to 5 hours anymore. People don’t work 9 to 5 now and the bus is used for a variety of reasons, not just a night out.”