MONEY towards the costs of running a bus service could come from Royston Town Council, it emerged on Monday evening. But councillors were more determined to take cash from outside sources. Cllr Lindsay Davidson told the general purposes and highways commi

MONEY towards the costs of running a bus service could come from Royston Town Council, it emerged on Monday evening.

But councillors were more determined to take cash from outside sources.

Cllr Lindsay Davidson told the general purposes and highways committee: "Let's find the money - it's out there."

The comment came during a discussion on the loss of No 17 town bus service in Royston after cuts in Herts County Council's public transport budget.

The move came after North Herts District Council decided to stop paying a subsidy for bus services across the district.

It has emerged, however, that the town council does have the powers to give a grant to provide community transport.

Committee chairman Cllr Mike Harrison said: "The loss of the service is causing a lot of hardship," he said.

He said, too, that due to the reduction in the bus services, people were left at bus stops last week because the bus had reached passenger capacity.

And Cllr Robert Inwood said it had become obvious that traffic had increased with parents taking children to school.

It is understood that North Herts District Council is exploring options over the provision of the bus service.