CHANGES to a bus route could cause problems for elderly residents in Great Aycliffe.

Councillor Bob Fleming, leader of Great Aycliffe Town Council, has expressed concerns about changes to the 92 service between Darlington and Bishop Auckland.

The service, run by Arriva, misses out an estate in Aycliffe Village and bypasses the Vane Road loop in Newton Aycliffe.

Coun Fleming said: "It is quite a big estate in Aycliffe Village, and many of the people who live there are elderly and no longer have cars.

"People in Aycliffe are usually sent to Bishop Auckland Hospital, and some elderly people have terrible trouble getting there now. It also affects the Vane Road loop, because there are elderly people on parts of that estate."

Steve Burd, commercial director of Arriva North East, said the change was necessary because of tough targets on timetable accuracy set by Transport Commissioners.

Alternatives to altering the route are putting on extra buses and drivers, which would be uneconomic, or scrapping the service.

Mr Burd said: "We looked at the Aycliffe Village and Vane Road diversions because they are used comparatively little, leaving the core of the route and hopefully making the timetable work.

"For most people there is only a relatively short walk to where there is a bus service, although I accept it is difficult for pensioners."