WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has performed a U-turn in its bid to scrap 72 bus services due to public pressure.

The revised plans, which reduces the number of services facing the axe to 25, follow feedback from the initial 12-week consultation.

During that time the county council received more than 2,500 returned questionnaires, more than 100 written responses and 24 petitions.

Despite the large-scale change in proposals, the 44/44A, which currently provides Malvern with a direct link to the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, still looks set to lose its extension between County Hall and the hospital. However, the frequency between Malvern and Worcester would remain largely unchanged.

George Waugh, chief executive of Age Concern Malvern, said it was a “retrograde step” to remove the extension.

“I can’t understand what savings they will make when curtailing it at County Hall when the hospital is only down the road. It is a used service, but it’s not used as much as it should be. I have found it to be a very good service and it also null and voids the need to park at the hospital, which is a nightmare in itself.

“It is, in some senses, within walking distance, but not if you are in a wheelchair or have a problem with walking. They have re-routed the bus service to Malvern hospital, which was fantastic, so why are they taking it away from Worcester?”

In other proposed changes, the threatened 377 Malvern to Cheltenham, via Malvern Wells, Pendock and Gloucester could be retained with no changes expected due to high use.

The 425 Great Malvern to Knightwick, via Leigh Sinton, Alfrick and Suckley, could also be retained, with minor timetable revisions.

However, the 362 Worcester to Malvern, via Baynhall, Upton and Welland, could face a number of changes if the proposals are adopted. Evening journeys could be withdrawn Monday to Thursday, and it could be re-routed between Upton and Malvern with every other journey going via Hanley Swan and the Three Counties Showground.

The 363 Worcester to Malvern, via Callow End, Upton and Welland, could also be re-routed in the same manner between Upton and Malvern.

The new consultation began on Wednesday (April 20) and runs until Wednesday, May 18.

A questionnaire can be completed as part of the new consultation by visiting www.worcestershire.gov.uk/public&busserviceschoolreview Residents can get a hard copy from the Worcestershire HUB or by calling 01905 765765.