A BUS passenger who is dismayed at the proposed cuts to Stokesley services and closure of a depot claims North Yorkshire County Council is unconcerned about the controversy.

Val Metcalfe, of Hutton Rudby, feels the authority is failing to take the initiative.

However, the county council this week said Arriva's plans were not yet formalised and the situation kept changing.

Mrs Metcalfe, of West End, does not drive. She regularly travels on buses to shops and banks in Stokesley, and to the James Cook University Hospital. She said many passengers in the area would be marooned if some Arriva services ended in February.

She was due to lobby Hutton Rudby parish councillors last night about her unhappiness with Arriva and especially the county council.

"I wrote to the county council, criticising the situation and the reply I received was a complete cop-out," she told the D&S Times. "An officer stated the county council was unable to comment and no decision had been taken. I'm amazed at how laid-back and unconcerned the council appears to be.

"Do these officers have to be hit over the head? Surely, they should be in the thick of it?"

She was particularly concerned at the possible loss of the No 21 service from Stokesley to Yarm and Middlesbrough. She said many car-users were unaware of the how limited the current bus service already was in outlying villages.

"It takes just 20 minutes to drive in a car to Middlesbrough or Northallerton. But it can take hours on the buses, if you have to wait for a connection or the bus is late. The existing service is not ideal, but it's better than nothing at all."

Richard Owens, passenger transport manager for the county council, said: "A colleague sent Mrs Metcalfe a holding reply. We are in discussions with Arriva and realise many of the bus services are lifelines to people.

"However, we are not sure exactly what is happening. The situation is changing.

"We suspect the closure of Stoksley depot will have an impact on services and have discussions about tenders for some services. We expect to replace Arriva's Stokesley to Northallerton service with a like-for-like service. That route is subsidised by the county council at £100,000 per year.

"However, the Stokesley-Yarm-Teesside service, including Crathorne Hutton Rudby and Kirklevington, is a commercial service. We need to determine what services will run after February.