PROTESTERS fighting to save a bus route through Muscliff have been told it's "too late" to save it.

A 1,500-strong petition was presented to the meeting of the Environment and Economy Scrutiny Panel by campaigner Emma Kinsley to save the 4b service which was due to stop running in the evenings and on Sundays from May 25.

Cllr Ron Whittaker appealed for Bournemouth Borough Council to continue subsidising the service and described the way the matter had been handled as "scandalous".

But the meeting was told that the service was no longer "value for money" after it heard that after the route was put out to tender the lowest bid received from Transdev Yellow Buses was £75,000 - almost five times the previous price of £16,000.

Cllr Whittaker proposed the present 4b service was retained with subsidy for the summer months but was defeated.

He said: "There were no talks, no discussions, no consultation and no prior warning.

"The way this matter has been handled is nothing short of scandalous. It is totally unacceptable due to the large populated housing developments within the Muscliff area."

Area Forum chairman Leslie Deller, also criticised the "distinct lack of consultation".

He added: "With ever increasing fuel prices, global warming and the council-stated policy to reduce the use of cars and to promote public transport, to remove this service from such a large area of population is outrageous.

"It is not acceptable to expect residents to walk from their homes to Castle Lane to go to Castlepoint and the hospital. It will have a serious effect on the old and infirm."

James Duncan of transportation services said: "When that service was put out for tender the lowest price we received was £75,000.

"We judged with great reluctance that it is no longer good value for money."

Mr Duncan added that it was "too late" to continue the present 4b service adding: "We would have to notify the Department for Transport. Change requires eight weeks notice. It's illegal if the operator doesn't give eight weeks notice."

Cllr Roger West claimed the council has "bucket loads of money" and referred to a £650,000 under-spend in the budget which could be diverted to subsidising bus routes.

Cllr Rob Lawton replied: "That is an amount of money set aside for the concessionary fares scheme. That money is a government grant we are not allowed to touch."

Cllr Lawton added he would ask officers to look at the feasibility of offering a "limited Sunday service" on the old 4b route.