March 1, 2001 16:28: COUNCILLOR John Dalton is urging villagers to use a new bus service or they will lose it.

The parish and district councillor has got two new services in Wooburn Green after lobbying for the last few years for better public transport through the village and neighbouring Bourne End.

Cllr Dalton (The Wooburns, Ind) said: "If it isn't going to be used enough they will have to knock it on the head."

The first new bus service started in December and runs from High Wycombe, through Wooburn Green to Beaconsfield.

The service is run by a commercial company, Abbey Cars, and it would not be financially viable if only a few residents used the service.

"People wanted to shop in Beaconsfield," explained Cllr Dalton. "It was also for commuters and youngsters who wanted the nightlife of Beaconsfield."

He added: "The idea fell on deaf ears for a long time but then Buckinghamshire County Council said it had a commercial company that could do it. It will be reviewed after six months and hopefully there will either be enough commuters or the county will subsidise it."

"I see the bus now and again when I'm on my bike and it's half empty. There needs to be more people on the bus to keep the service. It would be nice if people could rely on the bus service and use it."

Another service, running from Holtspur Avenue, Wooburn Green to Tesco, Loudwater, was due to start at the beginning of January but the collapse of the road in Glory Mill Lane, Wooburn Green has delayed the bus route until the road is repaired.

Kelly Clayton