Talks over retaining bus services are underway after Arriva announced it is making major changes to some of its routes from mid-April.

Several routes run by the operator in south west Hertfordshire look to be affected by the changes, which are said to be in "direct response to reduced passenger demand".

These include the 8, 10, 20, 320, 321, 500 and 520 services.

Arriva says it has "strived to ensure journeys are impacted as little as possible" but some areas in Watford and Three Rivers look to be negatively impacted by the changes.

Read more - Arriva is making huge changes to some of its bus services in the Watford area

Hertfordshire County Council has confirmed it is now in talks with bus operators “about how we can retain services for the areas affected”.

It also said Mullany’s has decided to withdraw its 318 route between Abbots Langley and Watford in March.

A council spokesperson said: “Although many frequencies will remain the same and there will be some new trip opportunities, the changes unfortunately will mean that parts of Watford will not be served or served at a reduced level. 

“Hertfordshire County Council are talking to bus operators about how we can retain services for the areas affected.  At the moment we don’t have any further information to provide.”

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor has also written to county council leader Cllr Richards Roberts after residents raised concerns about the changes.

He said: “A number of residents have been in touch with me because they are worried about the future of bus services in Watford. Lots of people rely on buses to get around and are worried that cuts to services may make life much more difficult.

“The County Council must make sure that we have good reliable, local buses services that residents can depend upon.”

The Liberal Democrat Group Leader at Hertfordshire County Council, Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, added: “It is really important that local residents can use good bus services. The government tell us that we need to learn to live with Covid, but to do that, we need good transport links.

“I have been working closely with officers to make sure routes are protected.”