MORE services have been introduced in Wrexham after the temporary closure of the town’s Arriva depot.

From Thursday, January 14, three more services will run alongside the existing reduced schedule of five after almost 30 drivers tested positive for COVID-19 at the site.

The new services include coverage for the town’s Industrial Estate area as well as one to Llay and Pentre Broughton and Brymbo.

The services will be run from the Chester bus depot whilst the Wrexham-based Arriva site remains closed for business for up to 14 days.

The services being brought back into use from Thursday include:

• Service 12/14 – Wrexham to Pentre Broughton and Brymbo

• Service 33 – Wrexham to Llay

• Service 41A – Wrexham to Wrexham Industrial Estate

They join:

• Service 1 Chester

• Service 2/2A Oswestry

• Service 2C Cefn Mawr

• Service 5 Llangollen

• Service X51 Ruthin

This update follows Carrie Harper, Plaid Cymru councillor for Queensway, making calls for additional temporary bus services that serve both the Industrial Estate and the Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

In a statement issued on Tuesday night, January 12, she said: “As this firebreak at Wrexham depot is likely to last at least 10 days, I am calling on the Welsh Government and Wrexham Council to work together to provide an alternative temporary service with another bus company.

"A shuttle service to the industrial estate and to the hospital from King Street is a bare minimum to ensure that workers and hospital staff can get to work safely.”

Arriva said they were prioritising routes that their key worker customers require for their essential journeys including services 1, 5 and X51.

A company spokesman said that the facility was closed as of 8pm on Tuesday, January 12, and this could last up to two weeks.

They added: “This is due to a number of employees being diagnosed with COVID-19. This decision has been taken in full consultation with Wrexham Council and Public Health Wales, to ensure the safety of our staff at this crucial time.

“The decision will affect our services over the next few days and we are advising all customers to check the Arriva website or Arriva app before they travel.”

For a full breakdown of the emergency timetable, go to www.arrivabus.co.uk/help/coronavirus/coronavirus-timetable-information.