A petition to save a bus service which currently runs between Wilmslow, Handforth and Stockport has gathered 1850 signatures so far.
As reported on wilmslow.co.uk earlier this month, the Stagecoach 378 service will no longer operate in Cheshire East from April 23rd but will terminate at Grove Lane on the Stockport border, instead of travelling on to stop at Ollerton Road and The Green in Handforth before proceeding to Benson Walk, Holly Bank Road, Lacey Green and Bank Square.
Janet Taylor, who set up the petition to try 'Keep the vital 378 bus route to Wilmslow' said "We set up the petition to let Cheshire East Council and Stagecoach know how strong feeling is about the removal of this bus service, it will be the elderly and disabled who suffer again from these cuts. Almost 2000 signatures speaks strongly about feelings of the residents, everybody knows an elderly person who will be badly affected by this decision and the council tax payers of Handforth are feeling that they are not getting value for money from Cheshire East Council."
Local residents were only made aware that this service is being terminated when Cynthia Samson, Chairman of Handforth Parish Council and Spath Lane Residents Association, contacted Cheshire East to chase up some bus stop improvements which were planned on Spath Lane. She was then told they weren't being done because the bus was being cancelled from 23rd April.
A spokesperson for Stagecoach Manchester said: "Falling passenger numbers on the 378 service means it has become no longer sustainable for us to continue to run this service on the section of the route between Grove Lane, Stockport and Wilmslow. We apologise to our customers who are affected by this change. We have provided information to Cheshire East Council who will be evaluating whether they can support a replacement service on this section of the route."
A Cheshire East Council spokesman said: "Cheshire East Council has been informed by Stagecoach that they intend to cease operating the Grove Lane to Wilmslow section of their commercially operated 378 bus service within the borough from April 23, 2017.
"The Council is currently gathering information on the service and will issue a further statement shortly.
"Cheshire East provides supported services where there are major gaps in commercial bus networks across the borough.
"Currently, there are severe pressures on the limited resources available for local bus support. The Council will carefully consider the impact of the cessation of this service in accordance with the Council's policies on local bus support.
"This service was last part-subsidised by Cheshire East Council in 2012 for the evening service only."
Janet Taylor has also written to her ward councillors and George Osborne requesting their support to save the Stagecoach 378 service.
A spokesperson for George Osborne said "Mr Osborne is aware of the possible suspension of this bus service and has already contacted the Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council on behalf of other constituents, for his comments.
"Mr Osborne fully appreciates the impact the loss of this bus service will have on residents who use it, and particularly to the elderly like your Mum, and other less able people. As soon as he has further information, Mr Osborne will contact you again."
The decision to stop subsidising the 378 service, at a cost of £23,156 per annum, was taken by the Cabinet in October 2012. At the time they approved a proposal to reduce or withdraw funding subsidies for bus services supported by Cheshire East Council, resulting in a saving of £750,000 per annum.
Photo: Janet Taylor and Julie Lowe, credit Martin Vincent Photography.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Use it or lose it!
Once an hour is not enough, and there is a wait of more than one hour to get the last bus, No quality of life for the elderly who wish to get into Manchester to see a show or go to the movies.
And all this talk of new housing etc, is pointless when there is no transport .
please can we do something about that as well.
thank you
Jon Armstrong is right. Use it instead of complaining.