Rothwell bus saga continues as residents mount campaign (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Rothwell bus saga continues as residents mount campaign

November 25, 2009 12:00 AM

Local councillors are backing moves by residents to take on the bus company Arriva after the company reduced bus services in their ward.

Withdrawal of the 443 Service has left some residents feeling stranded. Councillors are calling for Arriva to reverse its decision which they say has left local elderly people with no option but to pay for taxis.

Councillor Stewart Golton, Lib Dem, Rothwell) said:

"We asked for the reasons for cancellation of the service months ago, and Arriva have only just got back in touch. Now they have got back to us we want to resolve this problem for local residents, and so a meeting will be held in December.

"At the minute we have elderly people coming to us saying they feel trapped and isolated, they are forking out for taxis and it is just not fair. Bus stops have been decommissioned on Styebank Lane, Rothwell, and Stainton Lane, Carlton - both are very steep climbs."

"We are backing residents who are setting up a petition. We would like people to get in touch if they have been affected by the service cuts and tell us why the buses are valuable to them."