Six bus routes including one that takes pupils from Rickstones Academy to Witham could be scrapped as they are too expensive to continue. 

Essex County Council is proposing to cut the 383 Grahams Coaches service from Rickstones Academy to Witham along with five other services but are consulting the public before making a final decision. 

The other routes in question are 443 from Chrishall to Saffron Walden, the 236 from Wickford to Basildon Festival Leisure, the 85/86 from Mistley to Brightlingsea, the 17 from Great Bardfield to Saffron Walden and the 347 from Harlow to Hatfield Broad Oak.

Essex County Council has a policy to pay no more than £5 per passenger and these services are currently costing an average of £8.29 per person.

Council leader councillor David Finch said: "We need to ensure we have services that deliver value for money to local residents. This includes reviewing services to see if we can fund or provide them differently.”

To take part in the consultation from Monday June 2 to Friday June 27, write to: Passenger Transport Liaison Team, STC, Essex County Council, Council, County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1QH or email Passenger.TransportLiaison@essex.gov.uk