RURAL bus routes that have high subsidies could be scrapped as part of the council’s savings plan.

Bus users in places such as Dursley and Wotton-under-Edge could be faced with losing vital bus links if the proposals by Gloucestershire County Council go ahead.

Mayor of Wotton John Cordwell said the effect could be devastating for Wotton, where public transport is already poor.

"I am not happy about this. The outcome of the review could mean that it becomes even more inconvenient to get in and out of Wotton than it already is," said Cllr Cordwell.

"This could be pretty devastating for Wotton."

At the moment, the council completely subsidises around 140 bus services and part subsidises another 30 to help people get around.

This costs the council £5million every year and in many cases the services are not well used and are very expensive to provide – one service in the Forest of Dean is so highly subsidised it costs the council up to £46 for a return journey.

Other highly subsidised routes include the 244 from Dursley to Bristol, which has 6,000 annual passengers and costs the council £12.67 per return journey.

The 205 (206/211/242/281/288) Dursley, Cam, Sharpness route has 4,092 annual users and costs the council £11.10 per return journey.

The council needs to save £2million by 2013 on the bus services, which inevitably means cutting or reducing some services.

To review the network, the council will be doing three things; asking bus companies to take over a service and run it without subsidy, changing, reducing or stopping some services or looking for flexible transport alternatives such as ‘ring and ride’ style systems.

Details of the review are available online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/busreview.

People will have until 9am on June 27 to give their views on what is being proposed.

A final decision on the new network will be made sometime in July.

Roadshows for people to view and comment on the plans will take place from 10am – 2pm in Wotton at the junction between Hall Street and High Street and from 10am - 2pm in Berkeley town square on Tuesday, May 31.