The Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) has raised concerns about bus infrastructure in England and Wales, particularly in rural areas.

The group attributes growing problems to extensive cuts to funding for bus transport. Its Buses in Crisis report, which is based on Freedom of Information requests, has revealed that a further £9 million has been cut from subsidised routes for the 2014/15 financial year.

It also said that rural areas were the worst affected, with an average cut in funding of 19 per cent. Overall, bus funding has been cut by £44 million (15 per cent) since 2010.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "That is why the government provides substantial funding, protected until 2015/16, to bus operators to help more services run and keep ticket prices down.”

He added that an extra £1 billion was allocated to fund the free bus pass scheme for the elderly and disabled.