AS the Hereford Times rightly observed (Opinion, August 14) the proposed changes to rural bus services are conduct unbecoming a council professing itself committed to “sustainable” hub villages and a commensurate increase in the size of rural communities.
In recent months Weobley has been told to accept a 15% increase in population while simultaneously losing all evening bus services.
Moreover, the covert means by which Herefordshire Council has sought to introduce changes to bus schedules is disgraceful. These “draft” changes went unannounced on the council’s website until well into the second week of August, allowing parish councils no time to respond given that most take a break in August.
Indeed, from late July it took severe pressure by the Hereford Times, and from parish councils led by Weobley, to force any disclosure on this matter.
At Weobley and Kington we still await figures from the council on how much, exactly, will be saved on each 461 service cancelled; how much overall; and whether alternatives have been examined.
If these proposals are implemented, the ruling council “cabinet” will leave office next May with the dismal record of reducing the county’s public transport system to its worst state since before the arrival of the railways 160 years ago.
HERBIE KNOTT
Weobley
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