THE CONSERVATIVE County Council has now passed its budget, removing most of the money it used to provide to subsidise bus routes.

Whatever you've been told the no. 28 bus is unfortunately still at risk

Although the new budget starts on 1 April, the arrangements with the bus companies are on 3 months’ notice, so nothing will happen immediately.

Council officers will be asking bus companies whether they will take on running the no. 28 route commercially. This was last reviewed in 2005, and the number of passengers has increased since then, though many of these passengers use free passes.

If no company is prepared to run the service commercially, the service will be lost unless the county council decides to use some of the money allocated in the budget to providing different public transport options across the county.

In case we need this money, please write to Councillor Jim Harker and Councillor Heather Smith, at Northants County Council, County Hall, Northampton NN1 1ED . These two councillors will be responsible for this decision.

If we can persuade them that we really need the no. 28 bus, they might allocate this money to West Hunsbury.

Even if you’ve written before, or signed our petition, please write again.