Pensioners protest over bus service cutbacks

A GROUP of West Hill pensioners are banding together to protest against bus cutbacks

The frustrated residents have started a petition demanding the return of evening and Sunday services to their area

Christine Harvey-Holbrook, 64, is unable to attend her St Leonards church due to the service change.

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Ms Harvey-Holbrook, of Plynlimmon Road, said: "The last bus into town is at 6.30pm and then you can't get back. The hill is very steep.

"There's a lot of people on the West Hill who are elderly, disabled or families who are not that well off."

Marylyn Edwards, 63, said: "Stagecoach isn't working for the town. It is hard enough planning my daytime activities around the one bus an hour, now I won't be able to get out in the evenings. Most of us have just been sitting around fuming about it, so it's good we have started this petition.

"I have ME and I need the buses to get around. But the evening and Sunday service is non-existent. I don't have a lot of money, and I can't afford to get taxis, unless it's an emergency.

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"People are also worried about safety issues at night, because of the rapes, assaults, murders and drug dealing that goes on in the area.

"We need good public transport in order to develop this town into the true star we all know it can be."

The reduction of the 8/8a service means residents are also unable to directly head to the train station, or the Conquest for evening visits.

Tom Bridge, Stagecoach manager, said: "We had been making substantial losses and it was not worthwhile running the service. You can't run a bus with 40 seats when only two people are sitting on it."

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The petition to bring back buses to the area can be found in the Vicarage Road Post Office. Residents plan to hold a public meeting with council members and Stagecoach. If you would like to get involved, call 01424 202510.

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