Wheelers to expand bus routes after Shropshire Link service axed

Drivers from the North Salop Wheelers, which was set up 10 years ago to provide community transport in the area between Wem and Whitchurch, say they will now expand into Welshampton, Colemere and Lyneal, as well as Ightfield and Calverhall.

The group made the move following the council's decision to axe the Shropshire Link service, which operated six days a week and had a fleet of nine vehicles.

The route provided transport in towns such as Market Drayton, Oswestry, Whitchurch and the Shrewsbury rural area.

But council bosses said it cost £2,000 a day to subsidise the service and that nearly £700,000 was spent to operate it between 2012/13.

Now John Harrison, from the North Salop Wheelers, said the group will recruit new drivers and reschedule a new timetable based on the needs of elderly residents in north Shropshire.

He said: "We want to help elderly people who have lost their bus service in the towns and villages surrounding the A41 and the A49.

"We may not be able the offer the exact service they had before but the bus will call nearby at a specific time on a specific day. What we need to do is to have people contact us to let us know what service they need.

"We are looking at putting on a service that will be very similar to the old 345 service that used to run through Whitchurch and the villages. We also hope that service will take people to Market Drayton on a Wednesday."

Mr Harrison, speaking at a meeting of the North Shropshire Wheelers held at Prees Cricket Club yesterday, said:"We want to increase our service but we need people to start letting us know exactly what they need. We believe we can provide a very good service." For more information on volunteering or on the service call (01948) 880037.