PLANS to cut bus services in east Cleveland because of threats to staff have been criticised by local officials.

Arriva North East intends to axe evening and Sunday route 27 and 8 buses serving the Overfields estate, in Ormesby, and the core 65 bus route between Loftus, Guisborough and Middlesbrough. Some of the cuts will be covered by a new X56 service, but this leaves out many areas such as the West End of Loftus and New Skelton.

It also intends to reduce the number of early evening trips made by the 28 between Lingdale, Guisborough and the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

The company says it is due to increasing threats on staff and low passenger numbers.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council leader Councillor David Walsh said: "I understand that Arriva wants to push these cuts through immediately after the New Year holidays.

"Areas like east Cleveland and the Overfields Estate are areas where car ownership is low. The need for buses to get to and from work and for social reasons are essential.

"We have a situation where Arriva is a monopoly operator in the Redcar and Cleveland area, and it seems that Arriva is hoping that we will pick up the tab to run these services via a subsidiary.

"This is wrong and we will be demanding that Arriva, which is a highly profitable company, thinks again about these cuts."

Steve Noble, managing director for Arriva North East, said the company regretted its decision.

He said: "The services that will be cut have been losing money for some time due to significantly low numbers of passengers. We simply cannot continue to operate these services on that basis.

"Compounding this issue is the increasing problem of vandalism of our vehicles and assaults on our employees. We will not tolerate any form of abuse of our employees."