Residents protest community bus cuts

Kate Needham, co-chair of the Winchester District Green Party, said the service closure "affects people of all ages"

More than 100 people have gathered to protest a council's decision to pull funding for a community bus.

The number 61 service from Eastleigh to Winchester is one of 10 subsidised bus routes operated by Stagecoach that are being scrapped.

Hampshire County Council said the changes were due to "significant and well-documented financial pressures".

Residents gathered at the Colden Common Community Centre, near Winchester, saying the decision was "just appalling".

It comes after the 7/7A bus service from Andover to Newbury was cancelled, which some people across Hampshire and Berkshire said would leave them completely cut off.

A spokesperson for the county council said it continued to "listen to residents' concerns and have advised on alternative community transport options".

They said the authority had "helped to facilitate discussions" between parish councils and the local bus operator about the 61 service, adding: "Unfortunately, they were unable to reach an agreement that was viable for both sides."

'People matter'

Residents gathered at the Colden Common Community Centre as the final number 61 bus made its last stop there on Saturday

The protesters said the closure "affects people of all ages".

"It's just appalling - people really, really need this bus service and people matter," said Kate Needham, co-chair of the Winchester District Green Party.

Miles Harding, 18, said he used to get the 61 bus to college in Eastleigh.

"Now it's being cancelled so there's no way people who live in Colden Common or Winchester can easily get in," he said.

Winchester Liberal Democrat MP Danny Chambers said it was "absolute madness for the Conservative County Council and Stagecoach to be cutting this service".

"Vulnerable people in rural communities are going to be cut off for no good reason," he said.

The BBC has contacted Eastleigh Borough Council and Winchester City Council for comment.

Stagecoach declined to comment.