A DECISION to cut the bus service between Tadcaster and Selby has been slammed by residents.

Arriva Yorkshire have announced their decision to withdraw the 406 service. From January 27, passengers wishing to travel between the towns will have to change at either Sherburn-in-Elmet or York.

A spokeswoman from Arriva said that the decision had been made because the route was already covered by other buses and the service was little used.

But the 406, which made one return journey a day on Monday to Fridays, was the only direct bus service between Tadcaster and Selby. It also served villages between the towns including Thorpe Willoughby, Hambleton, Monk Fryston and Church Fenton.

Tadcaster town councillor Graham Auton criticised the decision, saying it would be the elderly and disadvantaged who would be the hardest hit by the change.

He said: "It is very disappointing. It is a retrograde step.

"They should be encouraging people to travel between Tadcaster and Selby on public transport. But now Selby is only accessible to Tadcaster residents who have a car.

"It is difficult for the elderly who use this service to change buses. We need more direct buses between the two towns, not less."

The chairwoman of the Tadcaster Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Angela Usher, said that Arriva's decision was a backward step. She said: "We need as many bus services coming into Tadcaster as we can get. Cutting services can only discourage people from coming to the town.

"A lot of elderly Tadcaster residents like to travel to Selby to go shopping and visit the abbey. This decision will make their journey much more difficult."

Updated: 16:19 Monday, January 20, 2003