CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save rural bus services have cautiously welcomed £75,000 in council funding to rescue some of the affected routes.

Durham County Council is inviting transport operators to bid for the right to run some of the threatened bus services in Teesdale following the announcement Arriva is pulling out at the end of the year.

The council is looking to reduce the impact of the bus operator’s decision by pooling the subsidies it provided for the discontinued routes.

Campaigner Caitlin Brennan said that, potentially, it was positive news, but those affected wanted more information about how the new measures would work.

“What the council is offering is very vague,” she said.

“We understand there have to be cuts, but if they keep some routes that’s something.”

Councillor Neil Foster, cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, said: “Although there is no new money to make available, the withdrawal of these routes by Arriva means there is £75,000 we can divert into maintaining as many services as we can.

“We can not save them all, but we have listened carefully to the concerns raised by residents and, as a result, we are now inviting prices from operators for services we would like to see start in January.

“This would ensure there is no break in delivery between Arriva’s withdrawal and the replacement services starting.

“Arriva’s decision will inevitably mean there will be some changes, but we do expect to fill the gaps seen by residents as highest priorities.

“As we make final decisions we will be paying particular attention to journeys required to maintain education and employment.”

The areas the funding will be targeted at are bus services between Middleton-in-Teesdale and Barnard Castle, Barnard Castle and Cockfield and Cockfield to Darlington.

Council officers believe these are the services most affected by the bus company’s cuts and most valued by the communities.

Public meetings to discuss the threatened bus routes have already taken place but more consultation is planned before exact routes and operators are announced.

A spokesman for Arriva said it would not rule out bidding to operate some of the axed services.