A row over changes to Shrewsbury’s bus timetables intensified today with a raft of complaints about the service levelled at bus company bosses.

Concerns have been expressed that elderly people are struggling to get to their nearest shops.

Arriva Buses chiefs say they have spoken to Shropshire Council and will be working to resolve some of the issues by moving bus stops to better locations.

Shropshire councillor Ted Clarke said he had been contacted by between 30 and 40 residents who were annoyed after many found they were unable to make their usual bus journeys.

Councillor Clarke said he had reported the list of issues to Shropshire Council’s public transport officers. He claimed the Arriva timetable changes in Bayston Hill led to safety issues and confusion.

He said: “I’ve had various phone calls and discussions in the street over the last two weeks about the service changes – between 30 and 40 contacts so far.

Councillor Clarke said there were safety fears about the temporary main stop outside the shopping area on Lansdowne Road because the sloping pavement was very narrow and directly opposite a short stay parking area with constant traffic movement.

He said residents could not get to Asda as the 25 bus route had been changed so it went down Belle Vue Road instead of Old Potts Way. The route of the 544 had also been changed.

Keith Myatt, communications manager for Arriva, said: “We’ve had site meetings with Shropshire Council and we will be moving the temporary stops to new positions on Lyth Hill.

“The bus that went to Asda used to go down Old Potts Way but only a small number of people used that bus. The bus stop is going to be moved back opposite a walk-through to Asda.”

Matt Johnson, Shropshire Council’s senior public transport officer, said they had met with Arriva earlier this week to address the concerns about the bus stop on Lansdowne Road.

He said: “We have agreed to move this stop opposite the parking area as close as possible to the end of the road, away from the parking area. We will also talk to Arriva regarding the inclusion of Lythwood Road on their 544 bus service.”

By Emma Kasprzak