A bus firm is threatening to withdraw its services if 20mph speed limits are introduced.

Chris Chatfield, manager director of Compass Travel, said proposals for 20mph speed limit zones in Worthing would increase journey times and result in cuts to services.

The 20mph scheme could come into force sometime this year following a £50,000 public consultation, which starts on April 7.

Councillors voted in favour of the consultation process last month, but the scheme must now gain public support if it is to progress.

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Mr Chatfield said: “A 20mph limit would increase our journey times by about four minutes, meaning we’d have to introduce 70-minute services, which nobody wants. Most of our routes will be affected.

“We have seen elsewhere that claims that driving at 20mph reduces emissions are not true and in places like Portsmouth accident numbers have gone up slightly.

Mr Chatfield has placed anti-20mph advertisements on one of his buses in an attempt to “let people know the facts”, adding: “We’re looking at places like Brighton and Hove and seeing how 20mph zones have impacted on taxi and bus services. To be honest we don’t want that here.

“I’m all for 20mph limits around schools, but not on every residential road.

“It will not create a perfect utopia where everybody is safe and there are no accidents. Our ‘20’s Pointless’ adverts will show just that.”

Duncan Kay, of 20’s Plenty for Worthing, said Compass Travel routes would not be affected by 20mph limits.

He said: “I think what they are doing is a shame because we would like to work with them to make sure it works for them as well.

“However, their claims about emissions and accidents are false and aren’t backed up by any evidence.

“On our website we have detailed information and evidence proving that 20mph zones do cut emissions and accident rates.”

For more information on 20’s Pointless – the campaign group against 20mph speed limits in Worthing – visit www.20spointless.org.uk For more information on 20’s Plenty – the campaign group for 20mph speed limits in Worthing – visit www.20splentyforworthing.org.uk.