BUS routes across Hampshire have been axed as the county council announces savings of more than £500,000.

In the New Forest, the H1/H2 and T3/T4 routes will be “re-timed” and will no longer operate within the peak time rush-hour periods. The T3/T4 Saturday service will also be withdrawn. This will save a combined £27,500.

As well as this, the number 6 bus, from Lymington to Southampton, will see fewer buses in the morning “peak times”. Savings of £26,945 have been predicted.

The Saturday service of the 112, which runs from Hythe and Beaulieu to Lymington, will be scrapped, saving £6,500.

Civic chiefs say the cuts are needed to keep the overall service going, due to added pressure from reduced central government grants.

They add that the decision to make the cuts have come after an “extensive county-wide consultation” which was held earlier this year. Around 140 organisations and 4,400 residents responded.

Council Rob Humby, transport chief at the county council, said the move was to make sure the authority could “continue to support public transport with less resource [at its disposal]”.

He added: “We’re committed to making bus travel in Hampshire more appealing.”