REGARDING the recent article about the proposed bus subsidy cuts, there are certain facts which were not published.

Firstly, the 681 route running from Slaggyford via Haltwhistle to Hexham, was also a free bus route for children attending Haltwhistle Community Campus. No extra funds were paid to ADAPT for transporting the children, as it was deemed part of the 681 service.

The route was provided free for children attending the above school, but Northumberland County Council in its infinite wisdom, decided it would be better to remove the children from the free service currently run by ADAPT and place them on a private route under a paid contract beginning after the last half-term.

So, to save money, the county council spends even more? Where is the logic in this? Who authorised this action and why? Which company got the contract and how? Why is the county council targeting rural routes? Is it because the rural areas are more biased toward the Tory party when the council is Labour controlled? Why is Labour, yet again, haemorrhaging money in hare-brained schemes and why is it allowed to get away with it?

Those who use and drive the route, suspected the county council was removing the children before the recent survey so it could allege the route was under used. This caused one driver to jump before she was pushed, fearing her job was in jeopardy and she has now taken employment elsewhere.

This service is essential to those who live where other public transport is not available and they cannot drive. Many are elderly pensioners who live alone and use the route extensively. The callous way in which the county council has gone about this is sickening.

I hope your readers will get involved in condemning the council for its underhand actions and the Hexham‘s MP Guy Opperman gets behind the campaign to keep these rural routes open.

DAVID NICHOLLS

Corbridge