A group of elderly Mapperley residents are fighting to save a 'lifeline' bus service after its operator said current funding can no longer be justified. People living on Sherwood Vale and surrounding streets say walking to alternative bus stops is dangerous and too difficult for those with mobility issues.
CT4N has confirmed it is planning to make changes to its number 19 service, which sees buses running from Sherwood through Mapperley, Arnold and Bestwood. The route is currently available from 9.30am until 2.30pm every weekday for those living in the Sherwood Vale area, a road the service runs directly down, but CT4N says passenger numbers are too low.
The operator, a charity which has been receiving support from Nottingham City Council for the number 19 route, is planning to offer it instead for two days a week. But those reliant on the service have expressed anger about the lack of consultation on the matter so far.
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Christine Alton, 76, has organised a petition with around 200 signatures opposing the plans and now wants to know how she can hand it in. Speaking about the plans, Mrs Alton said: "I don't mind saying that when I first found out about this, I burst out crying. I just thought, how on earth are we going to get about?
"I first heard about this around three weeks ago and later had it confirmed by the CT4N manager. There should be a public consultation before any decision is made.
"The doctors, chemists, post office - everything we use is at Mapperley Top. We did have some comments from people asking why we couldn't just walk to the other bus stops, but they should try doing that with arthritis.
"We do feel quite discriminated against because the people who use this bus service are older." If current plans were to go ahead, the alternative would be for Sherwood Vale residents using the 19 route to use Nottingham City Transport's number 40 service instead.
But the bus stops for this service entail a walk of 400 metres from Sherwood Vale, rather than the current situation of residents being able to catch a bus almost outside their front door. There is a slightly shorter route to the Winchester Court flats, where the number 40 bus picks up passengers between 9.30am and 4.30pm, but residents say the path is overgrown with nettles and brambles and the pavements along either walk are often incredibly narrow.
Other residents using the service pointed out that the distance is not the primary concern anyway. Instead, the incredibly steep hills around Sherwood Vale will make it too difficult for many to walk to and from the 40 bus stop.
John Folliard, 81, said: "If you have been out shopping and you're carrying really heavy bags, it's going to be much harder carrying it a further distance home. This is a very steep area as well, so you would be walking uphill or downhill."
Nigel Eggleton, the Commercial Director at CT4N, confirmed the operator's plans and said: "CT4N currently operate route 19 on behalf of Nottingham City Council, who provide considerable financial support to allow its continuation. Regrettably, the low number of passengers travelling (around 40 each day) is such that the current level of financial support cannot be justified.
"Discussions with city council officers will hopefully reach a conclusion early next week. Our wish is that route 19 will continue on two days each week with a slightly different timetable. I'd be delighted to also meet local residents to discuss the matter." Options of Easylink and Dial-a-Ride services have also been suggested, but the residents say this would cost extra.
Rather than the plan for a service running two days a week, Mrs Alton said a service running five days a week, but only in the morning, would be preferable. Ann Eaves, 79, said: "We don't own cars and we don't drive. But if you're of a certain age, they couldn't care less."
A Nottingham City Council spokesperson said: "We have continued providing CT4N with a small amount of city council support to extend the route into areas that don't otherwise have bus services. However, CT4N gave us notice in January 2023 that it could no longer operate this route on a commercial basis.
"To make sure that residents who would otherwise struggle to access services can still get around, we are providing funding for CT4N to introduce a shoppers' service two days a week from when the current service ends."
Helen Fluskey, 74, added: "They need to talk to us about this because I think most of us would be happy to actually pay a small amount to keep it going. This service really is a lifeline for people here."
