A CHESTER village could be facing an end to all its public transport.

Guilden Sutton is three miles outside the city and residents are without an adequate bus link which is set to be reduced even further.

Local Parish Councillor, Susan Ringstead said: “We’ve never had a good bus service as it is all country lanes around here. We have a lot of older people in our village. Our over 55 ratio is 4% higher than the national average.”

Cllr Ringstead also recalled the shocking moment an elderly member of her constituency in his eighties collapsed back in April as he was forced to undertake a long walk due to the lack of bus services in the area.

Shortly after the incident, it was announced that the current ‘number 26’ bus service would cease to operate completely leaving Guilden Sutton with no public transport whatsoever.

“This is just not good enough and it’s shameful that it is happening in our village.”

“Whilst the loss of our bus service is dreadful for everyone who relies on it, the Parish Council will do all it can to campaign for greater transport access for all, we are keen to highlight the alternative options for those hardest hit.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport, Councillor Karen Shore, said: “I’m so sorry to hear that residents in Guilden Sutton are feeling isolated from the transport options they need. This is something that is happening across the country with areas seeing the withdrawal of services.

“Passenger numbers have not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels and bus operators are struggling to provide viable services. Add in driver shortages, increased operational costs, inflation, fuel costs and the situation is made even worse.

“Government Covid recovery bus funding is ending in October and many bus operators are currently making difficult decision about what their services will look like after September this year. Bus operators can no longer run services unless passenger numbers increase.

“Community Transport services operate in the area which are run by ECT charity, trading as Plus Bus. Further information can be obtained from ECT on 0151 357 4420 or by visiting their website: www.ectcharity.co.uk.”