Sponsored by
Bust up on the buses
Changes described as 'fiasco'
Changes to bus services will mean that pensioners will have to walk hundreds of yards to travel and a school route will be diverted.
The planned service revisions, which come into force on August 30, will see Kempston's town bus services merge with the Elstow Park and Ride scheme.
The changes are being made by Bedford Borough Council in conjunction with bus operator Stagecoach, and council chiefs have heralded the move as a way to save 100,000 a year.
Councillor Carl Meader, who represents Kempston South, said: "There has been zero consultation between the affected constituents and the council.
"Residents of the Southfields estate will now have to walk all the way down Springfield Road and onto Bedford Road to catch a bus into town.
"The changes will also affect children travelling to Daubeney Middle School and Springfield Lower School as the bus will no longer stop outside the schools.
"I wonder if the council has informed parents before the start of term.
"This kind of cost cutting is affecting our most vulnerable, the elderly and the young."
Kempston resident Dave Menzies described the plans as a "fiasco".
He said: "This has all the ingredients of an ill-thought out fiasco if you read carefully between the lines.
"The revised route is too long with no stops provision along Elstow Road.
A spokesman for Bedford Borough council, said: "Revised bus services in Bedford Borough will improve the environment and save taxpayers 100,000 a year.
The changes have meant that those living in the Southfields Estate, and wanting to travel into town, will face an additional two minute walk to their nearest bus stop.
"However, this was felt a reasonable change to make, taking into account the economic and environmental benefits.
"People in this area will also benefit from the more reliable service, the ability to use higher capacity buses if needed and the additional Sunday services."
He added: "The number of passengers using this service to travel to the schools was extremely low, compared to the overall numbers using the service."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Bedford
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
