BUS services from Severn Beach to Cribbs Causeway are under threat after a senior transport advisor admitted cuts could result in the village being "dropped off the end" of a bus route map.

Richard Kemble, senior planner for bus services and promotions for South Gloucestershire Council, was heckled for his comments at Severn Vale Area Forum last week.

He was defending the council's decision to consider halting the 625 Sunday service between Severn Beach, Cribbs Causeway and Bristol.

The service will be withdrawn on February 6 but plans are underway to reintroduce a different service the following week.

Residents, however, were unaware that services were even under threat. Frances Barr, of Severn Beach, told the forum that if more residents had known the service was in danger, Severn Beach Primary School, where the meeting was held, would have been packed.

She added: "We badly need the service on a Sunday. There is no train from Severn Beach on Sundays and if you take away the bus service, residents cannot leave without a car.

"That means more cars on the road."

Mr Kemble said: "The cost of including new services means something will have to drop off the end.

"We can't afford new services and improve others. We are attempting to provide services using our own in-house fleet and are endeavouring to provide a service even if it is just shuttling between Severn Beach and Cribbs Causeway."

Cllr Sheila Cook, however, said the council should be supporting public transport users. She said: "We are trying to keep cars off the road and, certainly with young people, how they start is often how they intend to go on. If we get them on public transport, they may carry on using it."

Cllr Cook said she was unimpressed by Mr Kemble's comment that if money had to be saved, Severn Beach would be the first area to experience cutbacks.

She said: "This is a challenge to the authority and we need a very good statement to the people who live out on the edge of South Gloucestershire. It is not very inspiring for people to be told they are going to be 'dropped of the end'."

Mr Kemble apologised for his remark.

Council spokesman Mat Rees said solutions are being explored. He said: "Initiatives will support the main bus network and may well focus on minibus-type provision designed to provide services to smaller numbers of passengers.

"At present we are working with internal and external colleagues to develop such schemes. Inevitably with new projects we have experienced a few hiccups along the way, including existing operational schedules and types of vehicles available.

"We do however remain confident that we will be able to develop and implement the new schemes and initiatives in the near future."