A petition has started calling for Hertfordshire County Council to put a stop to the 403 bus service cuts. 

The petitioners called for scrutiny and preventative measures to be put in place.

The 403 currently runs two services an hour connecting residents to schools, doctors and The New QEII Hospital, and is the only service available for residents in Haldens Ward, with no buses running on Sunday. 

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Cllr Lucy Musk said: "We the undersigned petition the county council to call for scrutiny and preventative measures put in place to stop the 403 Welwyn Garden City Circular service cuts."

The proposed cuts mean that residents will only get one service an hour, from Monday, April 17. 

Cllr Musk, who represents Haldens ward, heard residents complain about these cuts and started the petition with hopes of putting a stop to them. 

She said: "The proposed cut to one service an hour will leave many residents stranded and unable to reach appointments. 

"This will cause financial difficulties as taxis will be relied upon and also impact the environment as we put more cars on the roads. 

"Therefore, it is imperative that the service remains as is due to the connections of schools, doctors and hospital." 

Cllr Musk added: "Cutting people off from hospitals and doctors' appointments is worrying, and additional stress will be caused to schools, children and parents who use the services. 

"It appears that no scrutiny other than company profits has gone into this appalling decision." 

A meeting with Haldens residents will be taking place at 1.30pm on Thursday, March 30, at Christ the King Church Haldens, where residents and councillors will discuss the situation and how to combat it. 

                                                                                                        

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A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: "The 403-bus route is a commercial service run by Arriva who have taken the decision to reduce the service.

"The petition has been uploaded to the website in line with our petitions scheme and if it attains the required signatures, it will be presented and considered by the council."

Arriva has yet to comment of its reasoning behind the cuts.

To know more about the petition, go to tinyurl.com/yphepv67.