CONCERNS have been raised that elderly people in Kidderminster will be "cut off" from vital services after a bus connecting the town to Worcester was suspended.

Diamond Bus has stopped running the 303 between Kidderminster and Worcester Bus Station, saying the service had been running at a "considerable loss" for the last year.

The decision has led to fears for elderly and disabled passengers in Kidderminster who use the bus on their route to hospital appointments at Worcestershire Royal.

Resident Dianne Hall said: "There are thousands of people losing access to this bus service and vital services at hospitals, doctors and shops.

"Hartlebury in particular and Ombersley will be cut off completely.

"People in Worcester won't be able to get to Kidderminster Hospital and people in Kidderminster won't be able to get to Worcester.

"There are a lot of students that use the bus to get to college in Worcester as well.

"There are disabled people in Kidderminster who can't walk to the train station as it's over a mile away - then when they get to Worcester, they have to walk again.

"A lot of people I know have no other means of transport, unless they start paying £20 in a taxi. Most pensioners can't afford that.

"I know a lot of elderly people haven't been using public transport because of the lockdown, but they will need it again when this is all over. People are going to be distraught."

A spokesman for Diamond Bus said: “Diamond have been in consultation regarding the service 303 with Worcestershire County Council for some time, and in partnership with Worcestershire County Council are considering ways in which some kind of service could be delivered.

"The service has been operated by Diamond Bus at a considerable loss for a period of 24 months and in the current economic climate, the company is unable to continue to sustain those losses.

"In order to operate the service in the short-term future whilst maintaining current social distancing guidelines and competition from the Kidderminster to Worcester rail line, the service would require a significant subsidy.

"We are happy to consider any financial proposal to reinstate the service, however at this moment in time we have no option but to continue to suspend this service.

"We have received communications from both Councillor Alan Amos and MP Mark Garnier regarding the service, both of whom are keen to work with the authorities to try and establish appropriate funding, and we hope that a resolution that meets our business needs and that of local residents can be found as soon as possible.”

Worcestershire County Council confirmed it was in talks with concerned parties regarding the 303's future.