BUS chiefs are being urged to rethink the axing of a service, because of the impact the change is having on the people it used to serve.

People in Delves Lane, Consett, are calling on Go North-East to restore the 766 service, between Consett and Durham.

The route was axed earlier this year in a major shake-up of services in the Consett area.

The bus used to run once an hour through Delves Lane, calling at Iveston Road, but now the service, re-numbered 15, goes via Leadgate.

The company says that the route was changed because passenger numbers were falling and it was making less money than bosses hoped.

The company introduced new services, V1 and V2, between Consett and Delves Lane - saying there was more demand for journeys to Consett than to Durham.

Iain McElhone, independent Derwentside District councillor for the area, said: "The 766 used to stop bang in the middle of Iveston Road, which is on a hill.

"Older people in Iveston Road now face a steep incline and have to walk 400 yards up or down to get to the stops for the remaining bus services. Some of them are a bit infirm. It can be covered by sheets of ice in winter.

"Also, Hurbuck Cottages used to be served by the 766, but it is now totally isolated. Go North-East say the service was not cost-effective, but we think it is atrocious they are putting profits before people.

"The route was heavily subscribed by people going to work from Delves Lane to Durham.''

Coun McElhone added that the issue had been raised at residents' meetings, but it appeared the company was not going to re-think the change.

A spokeswoman for Go North-East said: "Since we brought in the changes to the service, in February, the number of passengers using the service has increased.

"The change has been very successful and we are serving more people, which is the whole idea.''

She added that providing a service to Hurbuck Cottages would not be viable and that bus stops at either end of Iveston Road were within the 400m distance suggested by the Government