Amanda Milling, Member of Parliament for Cannock Chase, has raises the withdrawal of local bus services with Transport Secretary, the Rt Hon. Chris Grayling MP.
Amanda Milling has been a vocal campaigner on transport issues in Cannock Chase, speaking about the problems faced by passengers using the Chase Line; road users having to dodge potholes; and bus users stranded as a result of the withdrawal of services.
The Cannock Chase MP has now met with the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon. Chris Grayling MP to discuss local bus services in Cannock Chase. Amanda Milling spoke of the frustration and distress of local residents who have lost their local bus services. Last year several services were withdrawn from the area by Arriva and in some cases it left communities without any bus service and therefore some residents totally isolated.
Amanda Milling said: “The withdrawal of some of the local bus services by Arriva have been universally unpopular. In some cases the withdrawal of services have left communities without any local bus service, as has happened in Norton Canes following the withdrawal of the Number 3 service. I have met with Arriva to call on them to review the changes and reinstate services, particularly where communities have been completely cut off."
She added: “I wanted to make the Transport Secretary aware of the problems that local bus users are facing as a result of the withdrawal of these services and express the strength of feeling and sense of isolation many residents are experiencing. I have urged him to look into the provision of local bus services as they are a lifeline for so many people and we need to ensure every community in Cannock Chase has access to a reliable service.”
Amanda Milling recently ran a petition against Arriva's changes to local bus services and subsequently presented the petition, signed by several hundred residents, to the bus operator. Amanda has also met with the Regional Director of Arriva, Mr Rob Cheveaux, to demand a reversal of the withdrawal of services and to call on him for alternative service provision.