Bridgnorth bus user files court claim against Shropshire Council
A regular user of the Shropshire Link bus service is today taking Shropshire Council to court over its plans to axe it.
Frank Taylor, from Chetton, near Bridgnorth, said he had filed the claim because Shropshire Council was acting against its own policy of providing transport for one of the county's most isolated areas.
The Shropshire Link has been under review for the past 12 months. It will be withdrawn from service from Saturday.
Mr Taylor said: "The council's decision- making process has been a dog's breakfast.
"The have made no effort to keep Shropshire Link users informed, to assess their needs, or to consider cost cutting measures.
"Their so-called replacement for the service seems to be a few bits and pieces cobbled hastily together. Although the council keeps telling everyone of their concern for the socially isolated, the real agenda seems to merely abandon such people. This decision will cause a good deal of serious hardship."
Mr Taylor is today applying for an injunction at Birmingham Civil Justice Centre to stop Shropshire Council axing the service.
He said: "The council has had ample time to consult, involve the full council and to set up and prove viable and comparable alternative to the Shropshire Link.
"The council claims the letter sent out on August 5 was a 'consultation'. However, presenting Shropshire Link users with a fait accompli, especially when there has been ample time to consult previously, can hardly be described as a consultation.
"This is especially so when the letter contains only a single open question as to whether there are any comments and no questions at all on such matters as needs, access to alternative transport provisions, frequency of travel and to invite any ideas on cost savings or alternatives.
"I now understand through reliable sources any new service will have a strict six-mile limit from the nearest town centre.
"Bridgnorth to Ludlow is 22 miles and all regular users of the Shropshire Link, including myself, live in the 10-mile gap. Again, if this is so, the council will be acting contrary to its own polices. I also understand charges will be levied on concessionaries."
Shropshire Council declined to comment before the hearing.
