TWO bus services in Christchurch will run greatly reduced routes due to funding cuts, it has been confirmed.

Following a public consultation which gained just over 1,000 responses, the decision has been made to withdraw funding to the number 24 and 111 services, operated by Yellow Buses, which travel between Burton and Bournemouth, said a council spokesperson.

From Thursday, August 7, the number 24 service will run in Bournemouth, without subsidy, between Westover Road and Alum Chine. Meanwhile, Yellow Buses will operate the 111 service between Hurn and Twynham School for the benefit of pupils.

The Dorset County Council spokesperson added: "Bus routes 24 and 111 currently receive financial support from the county council, but the contract for these routes ends in July.

"Unfortunately the county council is unable to support these services beyond that time and Yellow Bus has determined that these services cannot operate without financial support.

"We will continue to liaise with operators on future potential services."

They added that this was in light of the county council needing to save £500,000 on their subsidised public transport this year, and a further £1million in 2017/18.

Cllr David Flagg, who represents Burton and Winkton, said: "It is disappointing that the county council are removing this funding and we need to help this consultation to move forward. If the services aren't used, the bus company and the council can't keep being expected to fund this, if the money can be better spent elsewhere."

A total of 82.5-per-cent of respondents to the public consultation said that they were aged 45 and over, and 65.3-per-cent said they used a concessionary bus pass to travel on the 24 and 111 Yellow Buses-operated services. When were asked if they had a disability under the Disability Discrimination Act, 18.8-per-cent of respondents said they did, and 84.6-per-cent of respondents were wishing to comment on the number 24 service.

Jeff Clayton, Yellow Buses' Head of Network Development, said: "Regrettably, route 24 between Burton and Bournemouth and the all-day service on route 111 are not commercially viable due to the low numbers of fare-paying passengers.

"Following Dorset County Council's decision to withdraw funding, and also no longer tender for the services, we unfortunately have no choice but to make these changes.

"Service 24 will continue to operate between Alum Chine and Bournemouth town centre, up to every half hour, with minor revisions to timings.

"The 111 will operate a school day service between Hurn and Twynham School, departing 0800 and returning from Twynham School at 1530. These morning and afternoon journeys will be available to the general public."