Petition launched to reverse Telford bus changes

Resident Lauren Haynes started the petition on the website www.change.org in response to the biggest changes in the town timetable for nearly a decade.

She said: "Arriva has changed the bus routes, timetables and service numbers of Telford's buses.

"Not only has this caused a lot of confusion for many of us, it has also cut off many places due to these changes leaving many people including the elderly stranded and unable to travel to and from their homes.

"According to a driver, the routes have been the same for about 30 years and have been effective enough to serve the area.

"So why has Arriva felt the need to change them?

"Many drivers in the area have quit their jobs due to the abuse they have received from angry customers following these changes, and this wouldn't have happened if Arriva left things the way they were.

"The changes have caused frustration, confusion and inconvenience to almost everyone in the area and I feel that this is unacceptable.

"The previous routes served every aspect of Telford and were effective, unlike these changes. So I believe that Arriva should change the routes back and just improve the timetables of these services rather than completely change them and cut off areas."

It has been signed by more than 800 people since it went live earlier this week.

Meanwhile, people in Church Aston, near Newport, were up in arms over the weekend after signs that went up at bus stops around the village suggested the number 5 bus would no longer go through there.

The signs said that the service had been axed with "immediate effect".

But Arriva spokesman Keith Myatt said it was an "administrative error" and confirmed buses were back running through the village yesterday morning, with the service back to normal.

Councillor Paul Evans, vice-chairman of Church Aston Parish Council, said he had been contacted by several angry villagers over the weekend complaining about the signs. Arriva has been criticised for failing to properly consult with residents over the changes to the timetable.

But Telford & Wrekin Council said it had no powers 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.