CE Council Bus Service Review

Cheshire East Council Bus Service Review

At the meeting of the Highways & Transport Committee on 19 September 2024, members were asked to approve a re-procurement of bus services for implementation on 1 April 2025.

This is following a consultation conducted in the Spring proposing reconfiguration of the 72, 73 Buses, resulting in the loss of a commercial service to communities around Audlem but introduction of a direct link to Leighton Hospital from Nantwich.

Relevant Cheshire East Documents pertaining to this should be accessible via the link here or

https://moderngov.cheshireeast.gov.uk/ecminutes/documents/s119878/Committee%20Repor t%20Bus%20Service%20Review.pdf

I am grateful to the Committee Chair for allowing me to speak, not least due to:

1. No reference within the reports, to the fact that the 70, 71, 72 & 73 D&G bus services have

not been operational since 1 September.

2. No performance data in relation to the Go-Too Bus.

I therefore asked/outlined the following of members of committee:

1. How the loss of this service is impacting on so many within our community, in particular

their ability to access education, employment and local services to support their health and

wellbeing.

2. That, in spite of the interim Go-Too Bus offer, its performance is one of failing residents. I

referenced the reports I regularly receive of 'last minute cancellations, invariably due to a

shortage of drivers' or interminably long journeys resulting in missed dental appointments,

timely arrival at an educational establishment or connection to onward travel.

3. I suggested that this void in service was unacceptable and asked that the council expedite

procurement of a commercial bus service for Audlem and surrounding areas.

Regrettably I failed to achieve point 3, but Cllr Russell Chadwick was successful in calling for

greater scrutiny of the performance of the Go-Too Bus and I have now secured a one to one

discussion, tomorrow, with the head of Strategic Transport & Parking Services.

I also took the opportunity to ask why Aphra Brandreth MP had not received a response to her

letter sent after our public meeting on 19 August.

I have updated Aphra in this regard and she has asked that I share following:

"Aphra has spoken to the Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council directly who has agreed to

meet with her, in the near future. She has also requested a meeting with the Director of

Highways and Infrastructure at the earliest opportunity."

The Chief Executive is in the process of responding to her letter, sent on behalf of residents and

she is pleased that there is now open dialogue between her and the CEO. Aphra would also

like to note that any individual casework issues, that she picked up as a result of this matter,

such as school transport, have been responded to swiftly by the CEO's office'.

Where possible Aphra and I hope to align our meetings with CE representatives and will look to

update you thereafter.

Rachel Bailey

Cheshire East Councillor Audlem Ward