A TOWN'S bus services are to come under scrutiny, in response to public concerns.

Members of Hartlepool Borough Council's neighbourhood services scrutiny forum will spend the next eight months seeing if the services provide value for money.

Forum chairman Councillor Kevin Cranney said: "Like most elected members, I have some concerns about the amount of public money that goes to support local bus services and to subsidise local travel. This currently stands at more than £715,000 each year.

"However, the cost of ensuring that services run where and when needed, and that fares can be afforded, must be measured against the benefits gained.''

The councillors' investigation will examine the provision of bus stop shelters, traffic management, bus priority measures, signs and the quality of buses.

They will also assess whether present bus services meet people's needs, the cost of bus travel and ticket types.

Coun Cranney said he hoped everyone would work together in "identifying the best way in which to meet the needs of residents, while ensuring that the town as a whole receives the best value services possible."

The forum holds its first meeting at Hartlepool Civic Centre on August 19, at 1pm, when it will set the terms of reference for its investigation. It is expected to conclude its inquiry and publish its findings in April next year.