Bus travellers fight back (From Stroud News and Journal)

Bus travellers fight back

BELEAGUERED bus users are fighting back against cuts to vital services in the Five Valleys.

A public meeting has been arranged at Stroud's Subscription Rooms for 10am on Saturday, April 14 where a formal group will be set up to protect the travelling public's interests.

Between now and then members of the steering group of the newly-formed Stroud Valleys Bus Users Group will be meeting with MP David Drew who has voiced support for their aims.

Stroud District Council's cabinet is also backing the better buses campaign and is emploring operator Stagecoach not to withdraw more routes.

"The planned changes will hit those in our community that depend on public transport," said Cllr Barbara Tait, deputy leader of the council.

"It will also reduce access to certain amenities and affect their possible use by tourists."

The district council will have to go a step further to convince all bus users they are on side, however.

"Clearly one of the consistent concerns of bus users is the proposal by SDC of the removal of the bus station to temporary locations within Merrywalks," said Bob Tiley, chairman of Rodborough Parish Council which is spearheading the campaign to retain a sensible bus service for the area.

He said £500,000, the estimated cost of the temporary bus station, was unwarranted use of tax payers' money and the loss of the current bus station would impact on Stroud businesses as well as the bus users themselves.

"It is in everyone's interest to save our existing station," he said.

"With the present membership of SDC due to finish in May it should be the new council which should be responsible for future plans.

"We would appeal to everyone to gain an undertaking from all candidates in the May elections that they would save our present bus station at least until a new one is built."

Anyone who would like further information on the campaign can call Cllr Tiley on 765842 or Linda Townley on 756547.

SB