Fury erupts over bus loss

Hundreds of furious campaigners fighting to save a bus route to a Black Country hospital packed into a meeting to confront travel bosses.

Extra seats were hurriedly put out by organisers as protesters crammed into a heated meeting to save the doomed 261 to Dudley’s Russells Hall Hospital. National Express West Midlands has pulled the route claiming it is not financially viable but residents say it is a vital link for patients and their relatives in Wall Heath, Swindon and Wombourne.

But protesters were given a shred of hope with news that talks are going ahead to try and get grants to subsidise the service.

The scrapping of the 261, part of a sweeping review of Dudley’s bus services, means from Sunday many will have to catch two buses when visiting the hospital.

Dave McCall, representing National Express, told the meeting at Wall Heath Community Centre, in Enville Road, plans were part of a wider scheme to make buses more reliable.

He said: “The 261 was actually losing money and wasn’t a profitable bus. Wall Heath is not being cut off.”

His comments were met with cries of “rubbish”.

Grandmother Marlene Watson, aged 62, who lives in Blaze Park, said the situation was a “disgrace”.

She said: “This is a moral, not a financial, decision.

Pensioner Edna Clarke, aged 78, of Moss Grove, Kingswinford, said the 261 had been running for 70 years and labelled plans to ditch the route “disgusting”.

Pete Bond, on behalf of Centro, said the firm was in talks with Dudley Council, South Staffordshire Council and Russells Hall Hospital about subsidising the 261.