Bus service call to link towns amid uncertainty over Shropshire A&E services
A direct bus service must be introduced between Whitchurch and Telford amid continuing uncertainty over the future of the county's A&E services, a county councillor has said.
There is currently no service linking the north Shropshire market town to Telford, and Councillor Peggy Mullock said she is worried how people without their own transport will manage if the county's A&E services end up at the Princess Royal.
Health bosses have already said that the current system of having A&E at Telford and the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital is unsustainable.
Councillor Mullock said public transport between Whitchurch and Telford was poor.
"We currently have no direct bus or train service. Not everyone has a car so they rely on public transport.
"I think the bus company should look at introducing the route especially as the Women and Children's centre is now based at Telford.
"And in the future things could change a lot more as A&E could be based at Telford.
"I have raised this issue with the bus company but they have not come back to me yet."
John Harrison, who runs community transport project North Salop Wheelers, based in Whixall, agreed that there were difficulties for people in North Shropshire who have to rely on public transport to access medical services, particularly in Telford.
The group is now looking at extending its service to Telford – if it can find more volunteer drivers.
The decision has been taken due to the ongoing Future Fit project looking at reorganising health services in the county.
He said: "It is unclear which bright spark thought it was a good idea to send expectant mothers on a cross county safari from North Shropshire villages to Telford, a town which is not served by any form of direct public transport.
"However the fact remains, that no matter how unfairly the rural dweller is treated, that unfairness is unlikely to change while this climate of austerity remains. On a more positive note. We have buses for all eventualities and there is a bus fuelled and ready to go and sat at our yard, but for want of a driver. This is a hazard of relying on a voluntarily service; no volunteer driver, no service."
To volunteer or to find out more details about what the group can offer call (01948) 880037.
