Chesterfield MP calls for urgent meeting with bus provider after concerns over significant changes to Chesterfield bus services
A number of residents have raised concerns over significant changes to Chesterfield and North Derbyshire bus services announced this week.
Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has now pledged to arrange an urgent meeting with Stagecoach after the bus provider announced a number of significant changes to bus services.
The changes, set to come into force on October 25, affect 18 bus routes across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire and have raised a number of concerns from residents who were worried they might struggle to get to school or work.
Commenting on the announced changes, Mr Perkins said: “Thank you to everyone who has contacted me regarding the impact these proposed changes could have on people across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire who rely on buses to get to work, school, hospital appointments, shops and to stay connected with their communities.
"Any reduction or withdrawal of services needs to be properly understood, particularly where it could leave people with no practical alternative.
"I’ve arranged an urgent meeting with senior management at Stagecoach Yorkshire next week so I can raise these concerns directly and get much greater clarity about exactly what changes are being made, why they are being made and what impact they expect them to have.
"I’ll keep constituents updated following that meeting.
"I will also speak to East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward afterwards, if necessary, to make sure the concerns being raised by local people are properly understood and considered.
"People deserve a bus network that works for them, and I’ll be making sure the concerns I’m hearing from constituents are put directly to Stagecoach.”
The changes, announced by Stagecoach late on Tuesday, September 22, affect a number of services including plans to axe Service 5, operating between Chesterfield town centre and Newbold and service 38 connecting Chesterfield and Green Farm.
Service 3, connecting Stephenson Place in the town centre and Chesterfield Royal Hospital in Calow will be withdrawn on Saturdays – with the last bus from Chesterfield on Mondays to Fridays scheduled at 5.30pm.
74 and 74A buses will run hourly and will only cover the 74 route – with the service no longer serving Woodthorpe.
The 90/90A service will be withdrawn beyond Staveley – meaning Markham Vale, Clowne and Creswell will no longer be served.
You can find the full break down of the proposed changes here.