Fears for bus link in county

A vital bus service linking south Shropshire with the county town could be axed if funding is not secured, it has been revealed.

The bus between Montgomery and Shrewsbury, runs via Chirbury and Yockleton, but the operator says he will have no option but to axe the service if the cash is not found.

Phil Lewis, manager of Welshpool-based Open State coaches said he would be making a decision soon.

He said the service which runs from through Chirbury, Marton, Brockton, Worthen, Westbury, Stoney Stretton, Yockleton, Cruckton was a huge financial drain.

He said: "This weekend I will be making a decision about the future of this route. I took it over last August but it's not viable for me to continue running because it's making a loss.

"I just can't afford to keep it going without financial help from Shropshire County Council."

The service runs three times a day from Monday to Friday and four times on a Saturday.

Councillor Heather Kidd, South Shropshire District Council member from Chirbury, said the loss would be devastating.

She said: "This service has been running for more than 21 years and people living all along its route rely on it to go to college, work, do their shopping and visit people in hospital."

A county council spokesman said: "We are not aware of any decision to discontinue this service and we are keen for the service to continue. We are currently in talks with the bus operator."