Fears Shropshire's elderly will be cut off without bus
Elderly people in rural areas of the county could become isolated from surrounding towns and key services such as hospitals unless a new bus service is brought in, it has been claimed.
Eric Davis, of Market Drayton Seniors' Enterprise, said buses provided an important lifeline for people who could not drive or who had a disability.
He said such people could be cut off from hospitals, shops or courts in the nearest towns.
The group is working with volunteer group North Salop Wheelers to get enough funding to set up a bus service to include Wem, Market Drayton, Whitchurch, Wellington and the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.
It comes after Telford & Wrekin Council announced it is withdrawing its funding for the 341/342 cross-border route to Market Drayton.
Mr Davis said: "We are concerned that non-drivers do not fall into social isolation and that people with a disability, the elderly and other hospital outpatients and hospital visitors, defendants and witnesses at the magistrates court, workers and shoppers are able to commute at appropriate times.
He said, with effect from August 1, it is the coalition's intention to provide a service along the entire "north Shropshire corridor", to include places such as Whitchurch, Wem, Hodnet, Market Drayton and Telford.
"To serve those villages not on the main roads an essential ingredient will be the need for parish volunteers to provide feeder services to/from pick-up points," he said. "Negotiations will include an element for reimbursement to volunteer drivers using their own vehicles."
Mr Davis has also called on people to provide feedback to the group's ideas for a new bus service before it is brought in.
"Determined not to allow present users without public transport, a coalition of charitable organisations is seeking all possible background information on which to base a reliable service to meet the essential needs of both present and potential future passengers," he said.
"There has been no public service between Whitchurch/Wem and Market Drayton for many years, other than that provided by one of the coalition partners to get shoppers to Market Drayton's Wednesday market. These routes, being cross-boundary, will involve negotiations with both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin councils. Both have expressed a wish to reduce the inevitable potential adverse community impact on its non-driver population dependent on public transport. Early discussions have been extremely positive."
People can email ericatriverside@btinternet.com or write to him at Riverside Lodge, Walkmill Drive, Market Drayton, TF9 1EL.
