A GROUP of elderly residents in Stockton Heath fear that they are going to be left high and dry when transport bosses scrap their 'lifeline' bus service.

Warrington Borough Transport has had to make the tough decision to withdraw the No.48 service, which runs from Owen's Corner to Stockton Heath via Longwood Road and Bridge Lane, because it is simply not covering costs.

Service 28 to Prescot via Whiston Hospital will also be cut in the move, which comes into effect on February 11.

Nigel Featham, managing director of Warrington Borough Transport, said: "Passenger ridership levels have been insufficient to cover operating costs on service 28 and 48 for some time and this situation has been worsened significantly by recent increases in fuel and insurance costs.

"Regrettably, the stage has been reached whereby we have had little option but to grasp the nettle and withdraw both services after February 11.

"Although it may be of little consolation, I can assure passengers that this decision has not been taken lightly. Had there been a realistic possibility of the services reaching financial viability, we would have made every effort to retain them.

"I would like to express sincere apologies on behalf of the company for the inconvenience the loss of services will cause."

But campaigners are hoping to take the borough council to task over the decision in a bid to get some kind of replacement transport.

Their main objection is that the decision has left residents living off Longwood Road without any public transport at all.

Borough and parish councillor Judith Walker commented: "This bus allows a measure of independence for those who cannot walk long distances and do not have cars.

"Social inclusion is now high priority with the Government and the council, and leaving elderly, and sometimes frail, people with no public transport does not fit well with this aim."