Fears 'lifeline' bus routes face axe

Elderly people at Broomy Close, Stourport, are "extremely worried" that changes from September 1 will mean buses will no longer stop outside their homes on Lower Lickhill Road.

Last week the Shuttle/Times and News reported on the concerns of elderly and disabled residents in Wribbenhall, Bewdley, who face their bus route being downgraded.

Dorothy Burbridge, 74, a member of the tenants' consultative committee, said routes giving the 26 residents in 22 Wyre Forest Community Housing properties access to the town centre and Kidderminster are a "lifeline".

She added: "We rely on the buses to get to Kidderminster Hospital, GPs, and the health centre at Stourport Library, as well as getting to the post office for people to get their pensions.

"We are all elderly and people aren't able to walk into town."

First in the Midlands will stop operating route 211/214, linking Stourport and Bewdley, from September 1 and route 11 to Kidderminster will be replaced from the same date as part of the company's "extensive review" of Wyre Forest services.

But Worcestershire County Council could not confirm if the route past the complex would remain unchanged.

A spokesman said another operator was being lined up for the subsidised route 211/214, which will have a "slightly different" timetable and "maybe some minor changes to the route".

Austin Birks, First in the Midlands' human resources and strategy manager, said: "While route 11 is being deregistered other services are being registered. There will be services to Lickhill. Details are in the process of being finalised but routes will be simplified and services improved."

A county spokesman said subsidies could be used to secure route changes or even set up a new service to prevent "social exclusion" of elderly people.

District councillor Brian Glass, who represents Lickhill, pledged to fight for services. "Bus routes have got to be maintained so people can live a decent life," he said.