CONCERN is rising in a Flintshire village as the withdrawal of a well-used bus service draws closer.

The Leader reported in March how residents attended a packed meeting in Mancot Village Hall after it emerged Arriva is to remove its number 12/13 Chester to Mold bus service at the end of April.

Flintshire Council officer Ruth Cartwright acknowledged the importance of the service but emphasised the authority had no control over commercial decisions made by firms such as Arriva.

She did however call for ideas and suggested on option could be a reduced but scheduled minibus service which can get people to town centres or "hubs" where they can continue their onward journey.

Mancot councillor Bob Connah told the Leader on Thursday he has concerns that time is running short and no concrete solution has yet been found.

He said: "Various solutions were put forward but so far none have come to any resolution.

"I think at the end of the day we're going to end up with the minibuses which obviously won't be as frequent as the current service.

"And I know it's not Ruth Cartwright's fault - she has been trying desperately to find a solution.

"But we only have two weeks and I can't see anything being in place by then.

"People are not happy with Arriva and the community is concerned."

Speaking at the public meeting Cllr Carolyn Thomas, cabinet member for streetscene and countryside, told residents: "I am trying to make sure everyone has a service in the future - it might not be the same as you currently have and I am sorry about that, but we're doing our best."

Steve Jones, chief officer for streetscene and transportation at Flintshire Council, said: “As the route was commercially operated, the council put forward a number of resident suggestions to local bus operators in an attempt to secure a continued bus service to the community of Mancot.

"Unfortunately, this exercise has not resulted in a replacement service being implemented when the current service is withdrawn on April 28.

"The council will now consider what alternative options are available but it is unlikely that they will be in place before the existing service comes to an end in April."