DOUBTS still remains over the future of two vital Petersfield bus links. Hampshire County Council was originally due to have made a decision on Tuesday about whether to retain service 94, which links the town centre with Penns Place, and the 95 service which links the Petersfield with outlying villages. But the decision has been delayed while councillors consider bids made by bus service providers. A county council spokesman said: "We've had the tenders back and we're assessing them. "The decision has yet to be taken by the executive member of the environment, councillor Mel Kendal, but we're aiming to have something in place by early January." Meanwhile, Tony Shaw, who represents transport on Petersfield Tomorrow's town partnership, has again written to Mr Kendal voicing his concern at the lack of consultation with bus users over the tendering process. In an open letter, he said: "I maintain that passengers have not been consulted about specific changes, but we are now told that the new contracts will run from January 2. "This is not public consultation. It may seem academic to some county councillors, but for many ratepayers their local bus services are their only means of getting to shops, doctors and other services."
