Villages isolated as bus service axed (Stone Liberal Democrats)

Stone Liberal Democrats <info@stonelibdems.org.uk>

Villages isolated as bus service axed

December 19, 2003 12:00 AM

The end of the Sunday 481?

Residents living to the west of Stafford will be isolated when a Sunday bus service is axed claims Gnosall County Councillor Barry Stamp. He said he was appalled to learn that Arriva were planning to scrap the Sunday 481 bus service which links Stafford to Newport early in January.

"The 481- Rural Link Service - provides the only bus link between Gnosall, Haughton and Stafford and as such is valued by local residents. However this week I have been told by the County Council that the Sunday service on this route is to be axed as Arriva do not have enough drivers. This is a major blow as this is the only bus service that runs through this area. Without a Sunday bus people living in the two villages will be isolated unless they can drive. I am extremely concerned that this move will hit the elderly and the young the hardest. I cannot believe that the company could not find other ways of coping if they do indeed have a shortage of drivers. I will be taking this matter up with the County Council as a matter of urgency. Luckily there is a meeting of the Development Services Scrutiny Committee next Friday (28th) and I intend to raise the matter there. I am interested to know whether or not the Sunday 481 service is subsidised by the County Council and if it is I will be insisting they bring pressure to bear on the company to change their plans. It seems immoral that two large villages should be left isolated without any buses on a Sunday. Something must be done to ensure the service is maintained," said Cllr Stamp.

Cllr Stamp is also asking to meet with Arriva bosses as soon as possible to see if any way of maintaining the service can be found.

"In the last few weeks the County Council have asked both Gnosall and Haughton Parish Council's for their views on the design and siting of new bus stops and shelters for the 481 bus route, as part of their commitment to what they see as a flagship service. However this news does make a mockery of this consultation exercise. I'm sure passengers would rather have a Sunday bus service rather than expensive new shelters and paved bus stop areas," added Cllr Stamp.