BUS services in the Richmond area are being cut because not enough people are using them.

Arriva published a new timetable yesterday and it involves the axeing of some routes to reduce costs.

Scotton and Tunstall are likely to come off worst, with the Route 47 bus withdrawn from the communities because there have not been the passengers to justify the expense.

However, the county council has negotiated a deal with Town and Country Motor Services, which will include both destinations on its Route 33, between Richmond and Hudswell.

"We hope the move will ensure Scotton and Tunstall are not left high and dry without a bus service," said passenger transport planning and development manager, Clive Hopkinson.

As Richmond's Mercury Bridge re-opens later today, there is also some good news for Hipswell, which will be reintroduced on Route 34 in the New Year.

Subsidies from County Hall will pay for an early morning Arriva service from Richmond to Darlington and an extra evening run from Richmond town centre to Cutpurse Lane.

However, Aldborough and Gilling have been axed from Route 29, which will now only include a direct service from Richmond to Darlington; the Route 79 bus will still visit the two villages, with the frequency increased to compensate.

Route 35 between Colburn and Richmond's Cutpurse Lane is also deleted and replaced by an enhanced Route 54, running hourly between Richmond and Marne Barracks, in Catterick Garrison.

Richmondshire District Council chairman, Councillor Michael Heseletine, has urged anyone who faces genuine hardship as a result of the changes to contact the county authority.

"The administration will look at each case, but people should remember there isn't a bottomless pit of money for subsidised services.

"If a bus service is justified then it ought to be provided but, if people don't use it, then it will be in jeopardy. I will admit I am often surprised that so many of the little-used services survive," he said