Anger over Telford bus route shake up

But passengers who turned up to raise the issue at the borough's full council meeting last night were told the authority had no power to intervene.

Councillors called on Telford MP Lucy Allan and Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard to lobby the Government to give communities greater powers over local transport in their area and agreed to press Arriva Bus Midlands to delay the overhaul.

The company announced changes to almost every route in the borough from July 19.

Residents have since raised their concerns over what the plans would mean for the most vulnerable and those reliant on public transport.

Councillors voted in favour, 30 to 24 to pass a motion to lobby Arriva for more consultation on the overhaul plans and to push back the date of July 19.

Councillors said they would urge Arriva to gather views, allow proper consideration and think of the impact on the community.

But Councillor Angela McClements, cabinet member for communities, transport and regeneration, reminded members that Arriva had the right to run buses along any route, with no input from the council.

Among the changes, the 481 bus that connects Newport to Stafford and Telford will become the number 5.

The bus will no longer directly go to Asda or Aldi in Donnington. Another change will mean the 33a service will no longer go to The Humbers due to a reduced number of people using the service and the service will no longer continue to the village of Tong.

John Thompson, chairman of the Telford & Wrekin bus users' group, said: "With the biggest changes to bus services in Telford & Wrekin in the last 10 years, I'm concerned about the lack of consultation by Arriva and the impact these changes will have on the most vulnerable. I'm pleased the council has raised these concerns."

Councillor McClements replied: "The council notes with concern the proposed changes to bus routes announced by Arriva and condemns their lack of proper consultation.

"Although this council has acted on behalf of the community and challenged Arriva's decision, this council deplores the fact that communities have little influence over the local transport."

The bus firm says people's travel habits have changed and the changes reflected comments from users. It will host exhibitions across the area from Monday to Friday to provide more information, which can also be found on the council website.The team will be outside Marks & Spencer in Telford Shopping Centre on Monday between 8.30am and 2pm. On Tuesday, staff will be at Wellington Library from 10am to noon, and at Newport Library from 1pm to 3pm. On Wednesday, staff will be at Bridgnorth Library from 10am to noon, and at Tesco in Madeley from 1pm to 3pm.

An exhibition will be staged at Morrisons in Lawley from 10am to noon on Thursday, and then at Oakengates Theatre from 1pm to 3pm. Shifnal Library hosts an event from 10am to noon on Friday, before it then moves on to Asda at Malinslee between 1pm and 3pm.