Arriva takes axe to Shropshire Sunday bus services

Bus operator Arriva Midlands this afternoon announced it is withdrawing a number of services from this Sunday.

The services are being withdrawn due to either a cut in funding or because they are "seasonal services". They include the Sunday 436 service between Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury which is being axed following cuts in funding which is supplied by Shropshire Council.

Others include the 99A service between Telford, Ironbridge and Bridgnorth, which was a summer Sunday service, and 890 Sunday service between Bridgnorth and Wolverhampton, which was also service put on during the summer.

The latter service has operated a Monday to Friday schooldays departure at 3.58pm from Oldbury Wells School in Bridgnorth to Wolverhampton and at 4.05pm from Bridgnorth on non-schooldays, but they will both now operate 10 minutes earlier.

Keith Myatt, spokesman for Arriva Midlands, said: "We have also changed the route of the service 25 between Harlescott, Shrewsbury and Bayston Hill to improve reliability. We're pleased to be working in partnership with Shropshire Council following its award of tenders for services 401 – 404 and 405 to Arriva Midlands

Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council cabinet member for transport, said "We need to make tough decisions if we are to protect key bus services that allow people to access essential services."

By Russell Roberts