'Impossible' to get to hospital by public transport in Shropshire, says mayor

People in market towns will face long trips and perhaps even overnight stays, regardless of what happens to Shropshire's hospitals, Councillor Mark Whittle said.

"The drive to Shrewsbury or Telford from Market Drayton is neither here nor there, but there's no public transport into Telford," he said.

"We have complained about it for three or four years. The kids who have their education in Telford have had to transfer to Shrewsbury.

"There are no buses to Telford, and when I say no buses to Telford, I mean it would be impossible to get there."

Councillor Whittle said those with serious injuries will be forced to take long journeys across the county.

"If you've got a broken leg you'll have to get to the bus to Shrewsbury, then limp to the next bus to Telford. It's a nightmare.

"It would probably take half a day to get to Telford. The chance of getting back on the night is nil. It's a one way trip – you'll have to stay over. It's impossible."

Councillor Whittle said the Future Fit board needed to look very carefully at public transport from across the county.

Analysed

He said: "Without public transport, we cannot use the facilities we have paid for. It's our taxes and we and we have the same right as people in Telford and Shrewsbury, we have the same rights.

"Anybody from North Shropshire is going to find it very, very difficult. The public transportation needs to be looked at in depth. That goes for Bridgnorth and everywhere else as well."

Phil Evans, Future Fit director, said that bus and train routes across the county have been mapped and analysed as part of a review of hospital services.

He said they knew how people from every postcode would be hit by changes, and were looking at ways to support those who would be worst hit.

The Future Fit review is likely to see just one A&E, probably based in Shrewsbury. Telford would serve planned care.

Some patients could be offered accommodation ahead of an appointment, while additional shuttles could be used to help connect those areas that are more difficult to get to.