Councillors in Shrewsbury are considering whether to scrap a partnership with bus firm Arriva following a string of complaints about the quality of buses in the town.

A special group has been set up to stage a wide-ranging review into the service covering everything from cleanliness to punctuality.

The Bus Quality Partnership is between Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, Shropshire County Council and Arriva.

The review group includes SABC councillors Dr Maxwell Winchester, Keith Roberts, Stephen Williams, Chris Freestone and Joyce Allaway, who say they have received complaints from bus users dissatisfied with the age of buses, their availability, the inappropriateness of routes, prices and frequency of service.

A statement from the council says: “The group will investigate the bus quality partnership and make a recommendation for it to be extended, enhanced or terminated.”

Councillor Maxwell Winchester, chairman of the review group, said: “I am extremely concerned about the way in which the partnership is operating.

“We are particularly interested in hearing the views of bus users.”

County Council spokesman Gareth Proffitt said: “SCC knows of the bus partnership review group but are not involved with them. However, we are happy to work in partnership with other groups to develop bus services.”

Nobody from Arriva was available to comment today.