A Conservative councillor has been criticised for suggesting the proposed bus cuts could be a good idea as it will make residents do more exercise.

Councillor Debbie Morris, representative for Moor Park and Eastbury, is alleged to have made the "inappropriate comments" during a Three Rivers District Council debate over bus cuts.

Watford Observer:

Councillor Debbie Morris

Hertfordshire County Council is proposing to withdraw funding from 52 of the 119 bus route services that run after 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday and services that run on Sundays.

During a meeting at Abbots Langley Parish Council, Councillor Sara Bedford said to Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst: "During your committee hearing, didn’t one member say some people could do with more walking as it could help with their well being?"

The comment was alleged to have been made by Councillor Morris, during a meeting of the Sustainable Development, Planning and Transport Committee last Tuesday.

After the meeting, Councillor Stephen Giles Medhurst said: "I think it was inappropriate, given the circumstances because people that use the buses do so for the mobility.

"It was an inappropriate comment, it was not racial, it was not offensive, but it was not something I would expect my colleagues to say.

Watford Observer:

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst

"Are you really expecting an 80 year-old pensioner to walk from Sainsbury’s in Watford to Abbots Langley?

"What about a disabled person? Would you expect them to walk half a mile because there are no buses? Perhaps more thought should have been given."

But Councillor Morris stressed that she was referring to a small proportion of people.

She said: "I made the comment that there may be some positive health and well-being benefits for able-bodied people who are using the buses for short journeys.

"If they can’t use these buses and they are able to walk then that is likely to have a positive effect on their health and well-being.

"Of course there are lots of people who wouldn’t be able to walk. In fact, I was one of the two conservatives that joined the liberal democrats and supported their recommendation that their response is to reject the proposals.

"Maybe they did not hear everything I said and they are thinking of it in very narrow terms, but I think it is very important I did vote with them because I do believe that the reduction in bus subsidies are going to have an adverse effect on local residents."

Hertfordshire County Council is running a consultation on the proposals to slash the bus services until October 8. To comment on the plans, visit www.hertsdirect.org/busconsult