Protesters sign up to bus battle

More than 600 people have backed a campaign demanding the reinstatement of a “vital” bus link to a Black Country hospital.

Protesters say they need all the support they can get if they are to convince National Express West Midlands to bring back the 261 bus to Dudley’s Russells Hall Hospital.

The bus company axed the route in April saying it was not financially viable but passengers say it is a vital service for patients and their relatives in Wall Heath, Swindon and Wombourne.

It means people living in these villages now have to get two buses when travelling to and from the hospital.

Wall Heath councillors Lynn Boleyn and Dave Tyler, who are spearheading the campaign, have already collected more than 600 signatures.

They are still waiting to receive two lists that have been left at Russells Hall Hospital and Moss Grove Surgery in Kingswinford before presenting the petition to travel bosses.

Councillor Boleyn said: “The new system doesn’t seem to be working. You ask people waiting for connections and it’s taking ages to get to the hospital.

“There’s also been a case of someone on crutches having to change buses.”

Councillor Tyler added: “If you live in Birmingham you can get a direct bus route from Birmingham city centre directly to Russells Hall Hospital – the 138 – and yet the residents of Wall Heath are not afforded the same direct bus service.”

The campaigners have asked the bus company to consider extending the 205 bus route – which runs from Russells Hall to Kingswinford – into Wall Heath, creating a direct route to the hospital, if it is not possible to reinstate the 261.

Ian Pearson, MP for Dudley South, has also joined the campaign for the 261 and is asking National Express West Midlands to “urgently review” its decision to remove the service.

The axing of the 261 is part of a review of Dudley’s bus services to make buses more reliable. National Express West Midlands and Centro have promised they are looking into various options to replace or restore the service.

Suggestions being considered are reintroducing the 261 with subsidies from Dudley Council and other partners, and scrapping the 259 to fund the 261.