A LABOUR district councillor has said that he fears lives will be lost if the bus service from Sion Hill to Wolverley School is cut.

Adrian Sewell said at a Wyre Forest District Council overview and scrutiny committee meeting last night that any county councillor who voted for the proposals to withdraw the bus subsidy for the route "will have blood on their hands" as children would have to walk down a busy main road if the service is lost.

Worcestershire County Council voted to scrap a £3 million taxpayers' subsidy for public transport, which puts 88 services on 43 routes across Worcestershire "at risk" unless private companies take on the services, with higher prices or reduced pick-ups.

Mr Sewell told the meeting: "I have grave concerns about the accessibility and safety of children going to Wolverley School.

"It really upsets me that we've sunk to this level.

"I genuinely fear we're going to lose lives. That bus route can't be touched.

"Anybody who votes for it, I believe, will have blood on their hands. We have a duty of care to ensure that children get to school safely."

Conservative councillor Nicky Gale raised concerns that cutting bus services into Kidderminster will affect employment opportunities for people living on the outskirts of Wyre Forest.

She added: "We're supposed to be a green council, we're reliant on public transport and that isn't what they county is saying to us."

A number of "at risk" bus routes were highlighted by the committee including services for areas with sheltered accommodation where people were less likely to own a car, tourist destinations such as Callow HIll, sites recently allocated for development and a number of school bus routes.

Committee members will send their consultation response to the county council to express their concerns.

The consultation runs until January 17.