A CHANGE of route is leaving bus passengers struggling in Castle, according to concerned councillors.

Northwich Town Council said a regular route has stopped including some of the residential areas at the bottom of Darwin Street and members are asking to meet bus operators to find a compromise.

The route in question formerly went from Chesterway into Navigation Road and Darwin Street but now the bus travels along Chesterway and up Chester Road.

Speaking at the latest Northwich Town Council meeting Cllr Brian Jamieson said: "The people that live in lower Darwin Street have to walk all the way up to Chester Road.

"I don't know why this change was assumed, whether it's because of turning from Chesterway to Navigation Road – can we blame the gyratory again? Probably.

"People that live in Castle are now being seriously inconvenienced.

"When the weather's bad it's a long long walk, especially if you've been shopping."

Cllr Kevin Rimmer said all bus services could do with a review.

"It's not just specific to Darwin Street but after a certain time of night you can't do anything because there's no bus services," he said.

"We've got something like Barons Quay happening and the nightlife but not everyone has a car.

"They're cutting services and we all know that once something's gone it's gone.

"Especially for more mature people it's just ridiculous."

The council plans to request a meeting from the service operator Arriva.

Cllr Jamieson said: "We need to discuss it because clearly it's a problem."