Nottingham City Council is proposing to cut the frequency of two funded bus services running to Arnold and Mapperley which have been described as ‘a lifeline’ for those that use them.
The cuts and reductions to Locallink bus services are set to be approved at a full council meeting on Monday (March 4).
Nottingham Community Transport, Age UK, Bus Users UK and passengers themselves are urging Nottingham City Council to rethink proposed reductions to the L9 and L11 services. The L9 run from the city to Mapperley and also Arnold; the L11 runs from Beeston to Arnold.
People are being given until Monday to have their say on the cuts before a final decision is taken.
Mick Tinkler, chief executive of Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire, said: “A lack access to transport can have a profound impact on the quality of life, health and wellbeing of those in later life.
“For those without access to a car, particularly those who are lonely or isolated, reliable public transport or community transport is essential for attending medical appointments, going to the shops and visiting friends, relatives and social groups. There seems little point in decimating local transport and then having to invest in services to deal with the aftermath.”
Mr Tinkler added: “We would implore the council to make every effort to continue to fund Locallink services and other such transport initiatives that enable Nottinghamshire’s older people to continue to access services and enjoy their later life.”
Campaigners have slammed the consultation by Nottingham City Council – which has centred on an email address. They feel many older, vulnerable and mobility-impaired people and those on low-incomes in Nottingham either do not have access to email and a computer, or are unable to use this method of communication.
Brian Wooding, acting chair of Nottingham Community Transport’s Board of Trustees, who run the service, said:“I’m sure the Council will maintain that it has undertaken the appropriate level of consultation to enable the budget cuts to go through, however, I wait to be advised by the City Council if any attempt has been made to advertise service changes on the Linkbuses themselves or to raise awareness of the issues with the users of the services to enable meaningful consultation to take place.
“I appreciate that timescales are tight, and the demands on the City’s finances are great but meaningful public engagement should be bywords for the Council on such important issues.”
Ian Combellack, general manager of Nottingham Community Transport, added: “We have been inundated with telephone calls and emails from concerned passengers about the proposed cuts to Locallink services and the fact that very little information has been released,
“As you can expect, it is also a very worrying time for our staff.
“The Council are saying that, where Linkbus services are proposed to be withdrawn, alternative services are available, however for most passengers this will require a change of buses which will be an added inconvenience.”
Mr Combellack added: “It is very concerning for some passengers who have told us that they will become prisoners in their own homes as they will be unable to afford expensive taxis, if the services are withdrawn. We’re back to the old scenario where a free bus pass scheme has been introduced, but there will be fewer services available for passengers to use.”
You can have your say on the proposed cuts and reduction by emailing pt.operations@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
I think we should keep the buses ….this is an age whereby you don’t want car pollution and it is needed for the elderly and single mothers …also the ever increasing new homes that you are building. We need more bus service not less. …we would like a more proficient service of the no 47 and no 46 buses from Woodborough to Nottingham as you have a brand new housing development that requires this on Spring Lane. Would be nice to have a small charge if 50p bus to take people to Arnold and or to the Retail Park at Netherfield that the people on Spring Lane adjacent to the new Spring Park housing development could use also ..why not send out a questionnaire to all the houses on spring park. …do you use the bus service; do you think it’s efficient, would you like more of a service, would you use a bus service to Arnold etc etc
hope you have emailed as requested 🙂
Why, when we are encouraged to reduce emissions and pollution, trying to reduce the number of cars on the road, are they cutting services ??? We are all encouraged to use public transport so it should be improving services not cutting them. Beggars belief
I think that the council should really think long and hard on Mike Tinklers comments. They may need them one day and if they are not there for them to use how sorry and sad will they be?? Sad, lonely, stuck indoors and getting depressed. They bang on about doing this and that for the elderly and then the council is considering cutting something like this – how stupid is it?
They have left it very late for responses !!!
Hope commenters have sent their emails in 🙂 (I have)
Please do not reduce bus services,. I am one of those people that have to rely on buses and live on my own. Buses are my only way of getting out. I expect the people that are making these proposals have cars and are under the age of 70 so travel is not a problem to them. Access to Gedling country park from Arnold would be great as well as getting to Netherfield retail park. At the moment these are totally inaccessible without a car. .
I agree that there is a need for the L9 service. Iam now totally independent now after being in hospital in 2017 for nearly 7months. Whilst I was in recovery, over at least 6months I found the service excellent for enabling me to get some inependence as I had problems walking, especially as I live at the bottom of a hill in Mapperley. It meant I could do a little shopping and gradually broaden my horizons. There are people who get this service, who are much older than me, who are semi blind or have difficulties walking. As I get older and possibly more frail, this route could be a social lifeline when I can nolonger drive or visit firnds and family. Thankyou