Local leaders in St Helens have voiced their opposition to proposed cuts on bus services.
Plans from private bus firms Arriva and Stagecoach in St Helens have been met with opposition by local leaders, The plans, set to come in from September 4, will affect bus timetables across the county and mean fewer services.
In St Helens, the plans include a merging of the 30 (Sutton Manor to Chain Lane) and 17 (St Helens to Widnes) services, as well as the complete removal of the 37 service (St Helens to Eccleston).
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In response to the plans, St Helens North MP Conor McGinn said: "I’m deeply concerned and disappointed that private operators are proposing yet further cuts to our local bus services.
“If enacted, the reductions would be a significant blow to connectivity across St Helens Borough and Merseyside, and would leave residents with a poorer, more fragmented service. That would be particularly felt by older, vulnerable people and areas more reliant on our buses such as Garswood, Billinge, Moss Bank and Rainford in my constituency.
“I call on operators to urgently slam the brakes on these plans and think again."
An Arriva spokesperson said: "There is currently a consultation underway through the Liverpool City Region Bus Alliance, on potential bus network changes, which may come into effect later this year.
"Such a network review is a condition of receiving the final round of government funding to support the sector as it recovers from the pandemic. At this stage, no decisions have been made about any potential network changes and we will continue to keep our customers and stakeholders updated, once a formal decision is made."
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