DRASTIC CHANGES TO LIFELINE SERVICE

He is urging the county council to do everything possible to retain it.

He has been informed that, although there will have to be a reduction in service level, East Sussex County Council is having discussions over the best way to re-schedule services while maintaining a service at times of peak demand.

He said: 'If the plug is pulled on it, many people will no longer be able to get out and about and lead independent lives.

'I am encouraged to hear that discussions are taking place and hope that any cuts will be structured in such a way as to maintain a service at times of peak demand.'

But Coralie Clement, administrator of the Delta Disability Social Group, was not so optimistic.

'The council plans to axe or make drastic changes to the Lewes Ringmer and Barcombe Dial a Ride service from August 1, she said.

'We are all devastated as we are wheelchair users who cannot possibly use a non-existent public bus with wheelchair access.

'Dial-a-Ride is the lifeline for many of us living in the villages around Lewes.

'We are happy to pay but please don't take away our independence.

'We may be wheelchair users but we still need to go into town for our weekly shopping, going to the dentist, solicitors, hospital visits and seeing friends and family.'

'She added: 'We are very concerned in Ringmer and Barcombe that we will lose this valuable service.

'A great many elderly and frail people will also suffer as they cannot walk to the conventional bus stops on the main road in Ringmer.'

A council spokesman said: 'We are having to cut back the Lewes service but we are continuing talks to keep as much going as possible.'