NEWPORT East AM John Griffiths has joined calls for the Llanwern bus service - set to be axed from August 18 - to be retained.

The Argus revealed on Saturday how the end of the Number 12 Corus/Llanwern bus service was among a number of cutbacks being made by Newport Transport.

The company's managing director, Trevor Roberts, has told the Argus passenger numbers had fallen with the job cuts at Llanwern steelworks.

He warned the company could not afford to continue subsidising the service. But Mr Giffiths has called for a "long-term view" to be taken by those with the power to subsidise.

"We need a bit of vision to get us over the interim period before the area is regenerated," he said. I have had quite a bit of correspondence from constituents who use the service and want it to continue.

"And given that the Assembly and the council expect Llanwern to develop fairly quickly - what with the setting up of the Urban Regeneration Company to get new investment - it would be a very short term view to cut the service now.

"Building work is already underway on Queensway Meadows. And if we keep the bus service going the use might well build up again."

As well as the Llanwern service, 15 Sunday bus services in Newport face either being cut back or withdrawn completely from August 18.

And further cutbacks to evening services are expected to be announced in September. Newport council's opposition transport spokesman, Councillor Matthew Evans said it did not make sense spending so much on new bus lanes when the actual services had to be cut back.

The Conservative councillor said: "They've already spent £300,000 putting bus lanes in and the new ones on Cardiff Road are going to cost another couple of hundred thousand pounds. "It's ironic that Newport Transport is having to cut back on services when the council is encouraging people to use public transport.

"Surely the money would be better spent making sure there is a service and people don't have to rely on the car."

Full timetable details can be obtained from Newport Bus Station inquiry office or by telephoning 01633 263600.