CAMPAIGNERS have launched a legal challenge to bring evening buses back because cutting them was a "real blow" to commuters.

People complained that Essex County Council's decision to withdraw the evening 250 and 251 buses from Waltham Cross to Loughton and Debden would affect their mental health, affect students and those who work in town and force people to spend £300 a week on taxis.

But Epping Forest Transport Action Group, which campaigns for better public transport and safer streets in Epping Forest, has sought legal advice and hopes to take the authority to a judicial review.

Dave Plummer, who is , the group's lead bus campaigner, said: "People have fought to save buses and got nowhere - we can't keep on letting this happen.

"I'm disappointed it's come down to the campaigners to try and sort this out. It shouldn't have happened in the first place.

"The loss of the evening 250 and 251 bus services has been a real blow to commuters, carers and young people and thers who relied on the routes to get them home from work and social activity."

The case has been taken on by Bindmans Solicitors who hope to reach an agreement.

The 250 ran once an hour from 7.30pm between Waltham Cross, Loughton and Debden and was scrapped on August 26, much to the dismay of people who rely on the service.

Meanwhile, the 251, which ran from Waltham Cross to Upshire on Monday to Saturday, was cut by nine evening journeys. This means every service - included the well-used 7.30pm and 8.34pm routes - no longer run.

Last year, the 167, which ran to Debden, was reduced so it now ends at Waltham Abbey and a few years ago, the 505, which went from Chingford to Harlow, was also reduced.

"We keep seeing these buses lost but we need to draw a line in the sand and say we need more buses, not fewer," he added.

The group claim many passengers reported they travelled without being given a ticket, which artificially reduced the number of people using the late-night buses and increased the amount the authority thought it was subsiding by.

It says its own research showed that at least another ten journeys were made per day, but despite informing officials, the service was cut anyway.

Meanwhile, Mr Plummer is also challenging the county council on the quality of its Equality Impact Assessments and looking at alternatives.

He said: "The impact on carers, both paid and unpaid, and young people working, or trying to find work, in hospitality and warehouses is particularly notable and seems to have been ignored."

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “We are aware and currently considering our response.”