Controversial changes to bus routes in Watford and surrounding areas will come into force from tomorrow (April 17).

Arriva is axing some of its services and revising the routes of others which the operator says is in "direct response to reduced passenger demand".

Nearly 700 people have signed a petition which accuses Arriva of "carving" up certain routes and calls for at least two services to stay as they are.

See more: Hundreds sign petition opposing bus route changes in Watford area

A full breakdown of changes can be found below but in Watford and Three Rivers, the following existing routes are affected: 8, 10, 320, 321, 500, and 520.

As a result of Arriva's changes, concerns have been raised about the loss of a direct service between Abbots Langley and South Oxhey, as well as a longer 321 service, and that parts of North Watford and Garston won't be served by a new service - the 20 - that is replacing the axed 320.

Arriva says the petition is "understandable" and added it can "commit to regularly reviewing the effectiveness of its service changes and will always offer enhancements if a genuine need is evident".

Full details of changes to Arriva bus routes in Watford and Three Rivers area. All changes come into force from April 17

8

The service will no longer run between Abbots Langley and Watford town centre. Instead, only the section from Watford to Mount Vernon Hospital is being retained. The frequency will remain every 30mins.

10

The service will continue to run between the Holywell and Woodside estates via Watford town centre. However, it is being extended to cover Abbots Langley to cover the loss of the 8 service.

Arriva says the 10 will run every 30 minutes but that the Holywell to Woodside section will still effectively run every 15 minutes because of the introduction of a new 20 service.

20

This is a new service running between Holywell and Hemel Hempstead, running the same route as the current 10 service, and then follow the current 320 route from Horseshoe Lane.

It will run every 30 minutes.

320

This service is being axed. It runs between Hemel Hempstead and Maple Cross. It goes via both those areas as well as Rickmansworth, Croxley Green, Watford town centre, North Watford, Garston, Abbots Langley, Bedmond, and Leverstock Green.

Arriva says the new 20 service and the revised 321 route will compensate for the loss of the 320.

321

This is a bus service that currently runs between Watford town centre and Luton, via North Watford, Garston, Chiswell Green, St Albans, and Harpenden.

However, it is being extended beyond Watford town centre to cover Watford General Hospital, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, and Berry Lane Estate or Maple Cross.

Arriva says the 321 will run every 20 minutes and that Berry Lane will be served by two buses per hour and Maple Cross will remain an hourly service.

500

This is a bus service that currently runs between Watford and Aylesbury, via the likes of Hemel Hempstead and Kings Langley.

Instead of running every 20 minutes, it will now run every 30 minutes.

Arriva says a new Sunday 500 service is being introduced from Hemel Hempstead and Watford.

520

This service is being axed. It runs between Maple Cross and Watford town centre, via Croxley Green and Rickmansworth.

Arriva says the extended 321 will compensate for the loss of the 520.

For more details, visit Arriva's website.