Vital bus service suspended (From Northwich Guardian)

Vital bus service suspended

1:20pm Friday 14th September 2012 in News By Emma Rigby

CASTLE residents have been left stranded after a vital bus service was stopped after more than 50 years of operation.

The number 48 Frodsham to Northwich service ran three times a day and, for many elderly residents on Navigation Road, was the only way of getting into Northwich town centre.

Last week, residents were shocked to discover the service, operated by Wrexham-based GHA Coaches, had been suspended with no prior warning.

Lyndell Johnson, who lives on neighbouring Spencer Street, has used the service for years.

“It’s quite a big catchment area for pensioners – there are at least 20 or 30 of us that use the bus service regularly,” he said.

“For many people here, this bus service is the only way of getting into Northwich and now it’s gone, it’s impossible.

“There are no signs telling us the service has stopped and so people have been waiting at the bus stop for the bus to come.”

Residents originally thought the service had stopped due to the number of parked cars on Navigation Road.

Stuart Hyslop, chief executive of GHA Coaches, said this is not the case.

“There are problems with parked cars on Navigation Road but we realise that in the area people have no choice but to park outside their property,” he said, “The use of yellow lines in such a residential area could cause more problems than it solves.”

He added: “The Frodsham to Northwich service required us to increase the size of the bus due to the number of passengers being carried.

“Naturally the larger the capacity of the bus, the longer the vehicle in question.

“Navigation Road has been a problem for us since the service started with a small bus.

“There’s a sharp bend in the road with a high brick wall which limits the drivers view and causes them to move over to the right even with a small bus.

“The larger buses have a four foot overhang and the steering wheels are situated behind the driver.

“In our professional opinion this made Navigation Road too much of a safety hazard for a larger bus.”

Have you been affected by the suspension of the Frodsham to Northwich service on Navigation Road? Let us know: emma.rigby@nqnw.co.uk