EFFORTS to save a vital village bus service have taken a step forward with the appointment of a working group.

People living in Neasham, near Darlington, are set to join forces to create a committee, headed by resident, Elizabeth Blundell, to find an alternative transport system when the number 20 bus stops in December.

The bus, run by Scarlet Band, is coming to an end after Darlington Borough Council announced it would cut subsidies for the route as a result of its cost cutting measures.

Speaking at an extraordinary meeting of Neasham Parish Council this week (November 5), Councillor Martin Swainston, ward member for Hurworth, accused the council of being “short-sighted” by cutting the services to those who need them the most.

He said: “Darlington Borough Council are cutting the subsidy and it is the rural communities who are feeling it the most.

“There are bus services in Darlington for those who could walk into town whereas we have got a handful of people who desperately need it.”

More than 20 residents attended the meeting to discuss their concerns and have their say on future plans for a community transport initiative, while more than 60 have also signed a petition - Save Service 20 Neasham Bus – to show their support for the service.

Ward member for Hurworth, Councillor Joe Kelley, said out of the original £137,000 funding from the council made available to community groups to set up their own bus services, about £20,000 still remains.

He said if residents show enough support for an alternative transport system, such as a community minibus, and come up with a workable strategy and timetable then the council may provide money to set it up.

“It is not going to be a regular bus service as there are not enough people on the bus at the moment to make it viable,” he added.

“But the council are prepared to give us some money to set it up and get a minibus if it is sustainable. If we can prove it can be done they will give us the money.”

The working group is set to meet in the next two weeks to discuss viable options.