Hundreds of bus routes face an ax with 'cliff edge' deadline THIS WEEK - key areas affected

Hundreds of bus routes across England are at risk of being cut or scrapped if Tory ministers refuse to pledge new money this week, mayors across the North warn today.

Regional leaders have sounded the alarm as a 'on the brink' deadline approaches for companies to end services.

The Bus Recovery Grant, which has handed out over £200million to keep services afloat due to Covid, has been extended for six months but now ends on October 5.

Bus companies must give six weeks' notice to change or cancel a service, raising fears that a new wave of cuts could be announced next week.

Businesses in West Yorkshire have already announced they will cut 26 unattended services, and another 25 will no longer use buses after 7 p.m., Labor Mayor Tracy Brabin has said.

Scroll down for a list of the many key areas affected.

She has written to the Transport Secretary, Chancellor and Tory leadership candidates alongside the Labor mayors of South Yorkshire, North Tyne and the Liverpool area.

She warned: "These cuts will decimate our bus network, risking leaving people isolated and potentially unable to get to work or college."

Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said there were 'days left for ministers to act to save bus services before operators pull the plug'.

The Urban Transport Group, which represents city regions, says there are plans to cut 51 routes completely in South Yorkshire, and only 10 services would operate after 10 p.m. across the region.

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In the North East, direct services could be cut from large parts of Gateshead to the city's only hospital, all evening bus services to parts of Sunderland would be cut and some Newcastle suburbs would have no bus service.

Boris Johnson on a London bus (

Picture:

AFP via Getty Images)

In Greater Manchester, authorities have been warned that 33 services will be cut altogether and 37 will be reduced or changed in frequency.

Liverpool City Region is negotiating a range of proposals for cuts, while West Midlands authorities say the extent of the cuts is still unclear as the region has received additional funding for the Commonwealth Games.< /p>

Outside major cities, bus routes are set to be cut in Somerset in a 'travesty' that will leave some villages without service.

And Kent councilors have challenged plans to scrap 38 council-subsidized routes in a bid to save £2.2million.

Ms Haigh said: 'In a cost of living and climate crisis, cutting the buses that millions of people rely on is pure vandalism and will be a real betrayal of the promises made by the Tories.

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