I AM replying to a letter from Joyce Fitzgerald published in the Guardian, April 1.

This bus service was run by Cheshire West and Chester and they intended to cut it in 2012 and 2013 – on both occasions Winsford councillors intervened and the service was saved.

When CWAC finally decided to cut the service in 2014, Winsford Town Council said it would subsidise the service for six months and again agreed to fund for another six months while looking for alternative funding.

Winsford Town Council spent £7,000 subsidising this service and a town council cannot fund this service indefinitely.

These services are normally funded by borough councils not parish councils.

The town council tried really hard to find other stakeholders to help fund this, but sadly no one came forward.

The fact is local councillors and Winsford Town Council kept this service going for three years after it was originally due to be cut.

I think it is a shame that some have a go at Winsford Town Council especially as they have worked so hard to keep this service for Winsford residents.

Stephen Burns Labour candidate Winsford Swanlow and Dene Ward