Craven councillors have heavily criticised proposals to reduce subsidised bus routes by North Yorkshire County Council.

North Yorkshire is proposing to cut its subsidised bus routes – including school transport – by around 25 per cent to tackle swingeing cuts to its budget.

And although Craven council says it accepts North Yorkshire is faced with financial pressures, it believes it has a duty to provide public transport.

And although some of the county’s proposals are seen as acceptable, others, including the withdrawal of subsidised buses for pupils attending out of catchment schools, are not.

It is also concerned about the impact on rural communities and tourism if certain, under-used routes are withdrawn.

Craven’s Select Committee, which was tasked with considering the county council’s proposals, which are under consultation until November 25, has now submitted its formal response to the council.

In it, select committee chairman, John Roberts, says members believed some proposals were not in the best interests of residents.

He said the need for good public transport in rural areas was essential for the wellbeing of both older and younger people.

And the removal of subsidised buses for children from Skipton and Gargrave going to out-of-catchment Upper Wharfedale School, Threshfield, was considered unacceptable.

“The committee considers it very disturbing that serious discussions between transport and education at North Yorkshire appear not have to taken place,” he said.

“This move should not go ahead until a satisfactory solution to the problem has been established. This could be through separate commercial arrangements being made by the PTA or the school making necessary arrangements.”

Coun Roberts said the select committee further called on existing transport arrangements to the school remaining in place until alternatives had been put in place.

The select committee was also opposed to the removal of a bus service between Grassington and Ilkley, which is seen as a vital link to the Dales.

North Yorkshire is committed to saving £92 million in the four years up to April, 2015, and is expecting to have to save a further around £66 million in the four years after that.

Its proposals to reduce its subsidised bus routes by 25 per cent would save the council around £1.1 million a year. It currently spends around £4.4 million a year subsidising the 20 per cent of bus journeys that are not commercially viable.

Details of the consultation, which is due to end on November 25, are available at northyorks.gov.uk/busconsultation, by telephoning 0845 8727374 or at libraries.