ROCHFORD district councillors have expressed their disappointment at bus service cuts by Arriva. The bus company has announced reductions on the no. 7 and no. 8 services from Rochford to Southend, leaving parts of Hockley and Hawkwell with just one bus an hour. Keith Hudson, councillor responsible for planning and transportation, said: “It’s very sad indeed. How can we encourage people to use the buses if they are not regularly available? “Rochford District Council will encourage Arriva to reconsider its decision, but at the end of the day it is a private commercial enterprise and we don’t have jurisdiction over them.” John Mason, Hawkwell Residents’ Association councillor for Hawkwell West, said: “I would like this referred to members at Rochford District Council for debate following an officer investigation on how this reduction could be reversed for the benefit of residents of my ward and wider still in the Hockley area in general.” Brian Guyett, chairman of Hockley Residents Associa-tion, led the opposition to the cuts and is urging all councillors to back their cause and ask Arriva to reconsider. He said: “Arriva is being very inflexible and we do feel there is scope for an imaginative solution. “I do hope Rochford district and Essex County Councils will want to be seen to support their residents.” Arriva said it will monitor services closely and urged customers to contact its customer services team on 0844 800 4411.