John opposing bus changes that will cut off elderly residents

John Healey MP, councillors and residents are opposing planned changes to the 229 service in Wath-upon-Dearne.

From next month, Stagecoach have decided the bus will use Sandygate instead of Burman Road.

Mr Healey said: “There are lots of older people living off Burman Road and some of them are simply unable to walk as far as the bus stop on Sandygate.

“Buses are a lifeline for them. This change will make it a lot more difficult for people getting around and it is important we let Stagecoach know the level of concern there is about it.”

The MP also said the bus route change would be likely to worsen traffic congestion on Sandygate, which was already busy.

Wath councillor Alan Gosling said: “I’ve had a lot of local pensioners contact me. They haven’t been consulted and think Stagecoach haven’t given them any consideration before deciding to stop the service going up Burman Road.

“I and the other Wath councillors are meeting Stagecoach’s commercial director, Rupert Cox, soon and we’ll be urging him to think again about making changes to the 229.”

Names are being collected on a petition and councillors are due to meet with Mr Cox on 5 July.