PROPOSALS to withdraw a number of rural bus services around Dorset are being altered following a public consultation.

Dorset County Council cabinet members considered almost 1,200 responses to the initial plans, and heard personal representations from local residents and local councillors from areas which would be affected by reduced services.

Final decisions will be made on 4 December, and councillors have pledged to listen to the feedback and do their best to address people's concerns.

Councillor Hilary Cox, cabinet member for the environment, said: "We are still working through the detail, but we will be altering the proposals which originally went out for consultation in early August.

"We are carefully considering all the responses we have received, and looking at all the options available. We aim to ensure no community will be cut off or left without a service that currently has a service."

The county council needs to save £850,000 from its £2.8 million bus subsidy budget by April - and it no longer receives funding from government to subsidise non-commercial bus routes.

Initial proposals were drawn up about the routes most likely to be affected, following a survey of passenger numbers, which highlighted that many routes were under-used and therefore not value for money for the Dorset council taxpayer.

Almost 1,200 responses were received. This feedback is now being examined, alongside more up-to-date passenger information, ahead of new proposals to go before the cabinet on 4 December.

A meeting on 6 November heard people highlight the potential impact of services being withdrawn from areas including Bridport, Christchurch, Dorchester, Ferndown, Swanage and a number of smaller rural communities.

Councillors also heard that positive discussions were taking place with local bus companies to find workable solutions.

This included the possibility of developing more community transport services – such as neighbour car schemes – which was being investigated across Dorset.

Councillor Cox added: "Some very useful suggestions have been made which we will take into account wherever possible in the final recommendations

"In the current financial climate, we must ensure that we achieve value for money for the Dorset taxpayers.

"This review is not something we have undertaken lightly, and we fully understand that some bus services offer a lifeline to residents without transport of their own.

"But there are ways of dealing with the potential for rural isolation other than a bus.

"We are listening to what people have said, and are working hard to come up with some options that deal with the need and provide value for money for taxpayers."