Bus plea as cuts see elderly stranded

Dozens of elderly residents in a Powys town have been left stranded because of cuts to a bus service, claim campaigners who want to get the service reinstated.

Campaigners want the bus service back in parts of Welshpool, claiming that many residents have been left without a life-line.

More than 100 residents have signed a petition calling for the bus service in the areas of Cae Glas, Greenfields and Little Henfaes Lane to be brought back into use.

At a Powys County Council meeting in Welshpool yesterday, Councillor Francesca Jump said residents were "desperately" in need of the service, which was axed more than a year ago after Powys County Council said it was under used.

Councillor Jump said: "This is the only part of Welshpool that isn't served by the town's bus service and it is also an area where a lot of elderly people live and rely very much on public transport.

"We need to drum up enough support to get the bus service reinstated because the people that live there are desperately in need of it and shouldn't be expected to walk to the town centre.

"There is already a bus service in the town and I personally don't see why it can't be extended into these areas."

Councillor Gwilym Evans said he hoped county council officials would try and find a solution to the problem.

He said: "I am aware of the problem in Welshpool and I'm sure Powys County Council could reinstate the service but it would be at a considerable cost."

Steve Holdaway, head of local and environmental services for the county council, said officers would be looking into the matter. He said: "It is certainly something we will be looking into."