Bishop's Castle bus services under threat

Bishop's Castle residents are being urged to fight to save their bus services after claims some could be axed to save more than £700,000 in transport costs.

Shropshire councillor Peter Phillips, who represents Bishop's Castle, said services from Bishop's Castle could be reduced from five to three a day and buses into the town from Shrewsbury were facing the same reduction.

Councillor Phillips said he feared the services could be lost if Shropshire Council stopped subsidising the routes.

Shropshire Council said today it was currently in negotiations and asked people to take part in consultation on the services.

Councillor Phillips, who is organising a petition against wider council cuts, said: "I'm worried the buses will go if the subsidy does. I would ask people to sign the petition and to take part in the consultation. It runs until March 21."

Councillor Phillips said he had been told Shropshire Council was looking to save £716,000 from its budgets for local bus travel.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for transport, said: "The changes to local bus services between Bishop's Castle and Plox Green form part of our current consultation on the withdrawal of council subsidy from high-cost local bus services, as proposed within the budget strategy for Shropshire Council 2011/ 2012.

"I can confirm that we have been approached by the current operator of these services regarding a potential reduction in the current contract cost. Anyone wishing to learn more about these proposals should visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/transportconsultation or visit one of the consultation events."