At Friday’s Highways and Wast Management Cabinet Panel the ruling Conservative Group decided to press on with harsh, politically motivated cuts to bus funding.

These cuts will mean that many bus services will stop at 7pm and not run at weekends. Tens of thousands of local people have petitioned the Council in two rounds of protests to try and save essential transport links.

Stephen Giles-Medhurst (Leader of the opposition and Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Central Watford and Oxhey) spoke vigorously at the meeting against these cuts, and after the meeting commented: “This drives a coach and horses through public transport in the county.  Those who cannot drive, or cannot afford to drive are now consigned to a 7.30pm curfew in many parts of the County.

“Thousands of people from across the County have petitioned HCC on two occasions now to stop these cuts. The savings have already been made elsewhere – this is part of the Tory austerity plan, rather than there being a genuine need to save money.  I do fear for the future for the elderly and those unable to afford a private vehicle who rely on public transport.  This it the Tories at their worst, hitting the most vulnerable in society, and given the massive under spend it is totally unnecessary.

“I do question the timing of this – did the Conservatives delay this until after the General Election to help win votes?”