Bus users have been dealt a “hammer blow” after a travel company announced it will be stopping a route.

A petition has been launched to save the 324 service after it was revealed the bus, which runs from Watford to Maple Cross, was “under review”,

Now the Watford Observer has seen an email sent to county councillors this morning that reveals residents in the Meriden estate, Garston and north Watford will be left without a bus after Arriva confirmed its plans to Hertfordshire County Council.

Under a new scheme, the 324 bus will be scrapped.

The bus service that runs from Maple Cross through Watford town centre will be retained under a new 520 service. It will continue from Watford to Hemel Hempstead following the existing 500 bus route. The 324 route from the Woodside area of Watford to the town centre via the Meriden estate will be lost.

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor has described it as “terrible news” for the 1,500 people on the estate.

He said: “The 324 bus service is a vital route and the only service for residents on the Meriden linking them to the town centre and Watford General. Removing this service would be a huge loss.”

Lib Dem Cllr Amanda Grimston, who represents the Meriden estate and described the 324 bus as a "lifeline", added: “This is a hammer blow and devastating news for the 1,500 people living in the Meriden estate.

“Hertfordshire County Council need to invest in a service from the Meriden and Tudor estates into the centre of Watford or residents living in those areas will be effectively prisoners in their own homes.”

Labour county councillor for West Watford Nigel Bell said: “I condemn this action by Arriva and urge the county council to take urgent action to find a solution. While this is better news for West Watford residents and through to Croxley, Rickmansworth and Maple Cross, it is disastrous for North Watford and Meriden."

Arriva notified the county council of its decision of its changes which will take effect from September 30. Emergency provision may be provided thereafter if no solution is found in the meantime.

The new 520 bus service will operate half-hourly from Monday to Saturday.

More than 700 people have signed the petition to save the 324 bus service.

The county council has no powers to prevent Arriva from making the changes and the council did express “disappointment” to the changes proposed.

A spokeswoman for the county council said: “We have now received Arriva’s formal registrations to notify us of changes to the commercially operated 324 bus service from 30 September.

“The county council will now consider the impact of these changes, the value for money of possible alternative services and investigate sources of funding available for such provision to help inform next steps.”

Arriva says it is "working with the county council to provide a solution".