Villagers to air bus views

A public meeting is being held in Cheslyn Hay next week for residents to air their views on a bus service being re-routed through a housing estate in the village.

Travel West Midlands' decision to direct the 351 service through the Littlewood area sparked fury among several residents who were annoyed that double-deck buses were passing their homes.

The bus firm's traffic manager Nick Newcombe has agreed to attend the meeting which will be held at Cheslyn Hay Village Hall, in Pinfold Lane, from 7pm on July 5.

It is hoped a representative from Staffordshire County Council will also attend the meeting.

Councillor Bob Denson, vice-chairman of the parish council, said: "Things seem to have settled down a bit now with regard to the double-deck buses as they are sending more single deckers through.

"People are still up in arms about it but we have sent questionnaires out and the responses so far seem to indicate around three-fifths are actually wanting the service and two-fifths are not wanting it.

"If they put smaller buses on, I think people would be a little happier because they would be able to negotiate the parked cars."

Around 35 residents attended two recent meetings of Cheslyn Hay Parish Council and voiced a string of complaints, including claims that passengers on double deckers could see into bedroom windows.

It was also claimed that the roads, in places, were not wide enough for two buses to pass and they were being forced to mount pavements.

But Travel West Midlands said it was legally possible to operate a bus service on any part of a road where there were no restrictions.

Buses previously used Coppice Lane but switched the route to use Littlewood Lane and Station Street several weeks ago. It is thought the changes were made because of parking problems in Coppice Lane.