TOWN councillors have been assured that the threat to a cut in a bus service in Royston is still part of a consultation exercise. But Steve Fearns, the Herts County Council head of operations, told members on Monday evening that a reduction in subsidy for

TOWN councillors have been assured that the threat to a cut in a bus service in Royston is still part of a consultation exercise.

But Steve Fearns, the Herts County Council head of operations, told members on Monday evening that a reduction in subsidy for bus services will inevitably mean cuts.

This could see the axing of the No17 town service in Royston.

The situation has arisen after North Herts District Council decided to stop giving the county council £130,000-a-year towards bus subsidies.

It cost the district council £19,000-a-year in subsidy to help towards the cost of running the No 17 service.

Mr Fearns told councillors that the county council was at the consultation stage, but warned "there will have to be some cuts somewhere".

"We are trying to get the balance right and we are still having discussions," he said.

And Cllr Mike Harrison, chairman of the town council's general purposes and highways committee, said a cut to the service would cause "hardship" to elderly residents.

Cllr Peter Burt said it may be a question of combining both Royston town centre routes into one service.

"There seems to be the potential opportunity to adapt the current services," he said.

Cllr Robert Inwood said the axing of the No 17 service would be a "drastic cut" and even the thought of dropping the service was "absolutely ludicrous".