8:10am Monday 15th June 2009
A RURAL show near Northwich, which encourages people to be more environmentally-friendly, has been criticised for cancelling its shuttle bus service this year.
The Cheshire Show, at Tabley showground, is considered to be one of the highlights of the county’s summer calendar, attracting up to 70,000 people each year.
In previous years, a bus service ran from from Hartford railway station via Watling Street and Northwich railway station.
A second route operated from Knutsford railway station via the town’s bus station.
But Nigel Evans, executive director of the show, says that due to the economic climate and budget constraints, the buses have been called off.
He said: “The provision of this service has a significant cost attached to it, which is funded by the show, which is a charity in its own right.
“It was agreed by the service provider to set the fares generated from this service against the final charge.
“In recent years, the use, and therefore the fares generated from this service, has only contributed a very modest reduction of the overall cost to the show.”
Pauline Ashley, from Middlewich, thinks the decision goes against the Cheshire Show’s slogan: ‘Connecting you to the countryside’.
She said: “They’re promoting the countryside and people are urged to leave their cars behind. It’s not fair to people who don’t have a car, particularly elderly people.”
Steve Lay, from Winsford, who has used the shuttle bus service for the past two years, said: “If people do go in their cars the roads will be congested and getting to the show will be a nightmare.
“It’ll become a carbon dioxide fest.
“Last year, buses were quite full. I’m sure a lot of people won’t be able to go and it’s a shame.”
Mr Evans added: “The show does take environmental matters very seriously and this decision was not taken lightly.
“We hope that visitors will understand the show’s position and be assured that this service will be re-introduced when finances and increased need determine it to be so.”
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