Buses, football, security and more: Readers have their say – plus memories from the archive

Seeing double as bus numbers offer a puzzle

It was with interest and some nostalgia that I read Mike Crump's recent letter published in the Star about bus services in Shropshire.

It was nearly 60 years ago that I ventured by bus to Bridgnorth. I took the Walsall trolleybus 32 to the centre of Bloxwich, Walsall/Wolverhampton joint service 60 to Wolverhampton, then Wolverhampton service 17 to Bridgnorth.

The distinctive single decker on the route dates the trip to a point after the introduction of the Daimler Roadliner in 1967.

I also recall using a Midland Red "Anywhere" ticket to Salopian destinations such as Cleobury Mortimer and Ludlow.

My trip to Bridgnorth might now be a bit puzzling.

I would arrive in Wolverhampton on West Midlands service 9 - probably spectacularly late by the time it reached Bloxwich by a circuitous route from Walsall via Rushall and Pelsall. On getting off the 9, I would then have to get on, err, the 9.

Yes, Wolverhampton has two routes with the same number, since Arriva's bus to Bridgnorth is also the 9.

Not to be outdone, Walsall also has two buses with the same number.

You can go to another pleasant town, Lichfield, on the 36, provided you avoid catching the other bus with the same number, which drops you off at the Manor Hospital for a quick colonoscopy.

So, maybe those arranging bus services could try co-ordinating numbering of services so that we don't have two different routes with the same number serving a bus station.

The big question about rural bus services, as identified by Mike Crump, is funding.

The growth of private car ownership has impacted the viability of some public transport services.

This is not confined to the United Kingdom.

Notoriously, American car manufacturers bought and closed a once widespread system of interurban tramways.

In the specific case of the West Midlands, the new powers are being given to the metro-mayor and the combined authority - as previously happened in Greater Manchester.

Historically, services were provided in the rural West Midlands and smaller towns by some small local independents (such as Harper's of Heath Hayes and Green Bus of Rugeley).

There were also the municipal operators of Walsall and Wolverhampton operating outside their area (e.g. Wolverhampton to Bridgnorth and Albrighton and Walsall's local services in Cannock).

And there was the huge Midland Red operation in our region, which I believe was damaged when its profitable routes (e.g. Birmingham to Dudley, Wolverhampton and Walsall) were taken over by West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive.

Improvement of services in Staffordshire and Shropshire would certainly need some financial innovation.

Alan Harrison, Midlands

Tired at trying to pay badge bill

My Blue Badge parking renewal has been approved by Telford & Wrekin Council. It costs £10, and I have now spent four hours trying to pay the bill. The website refers to a payment phone line which, when you call it, directs you back to the website. I am tired and dizzy. Why make it so difficult to pay a routine bill? I have 10 O-levels, including English and maths, and still have most of my marbles, but I will still need one of my children or grandchildren to guide me through this electronic morass.

Ken Mullinder, St Georges

Appalled by Reform antics

I read the piece on the ex-Conservative MP's defection to Reform and it sounds like she had a good time at the party conference.

Whilst this piece painted a warm and fuzzy picture of the welcome she had received, I was surprised not to be able to find any reference to the video footage of some of (the apparently warm and welcoming) attendees physically attacking two other women who had the temerity of heckling Nigel Farage during his conference speech.

It is a nasty phone-captured video in which the behaviour of some attacking the women was basically feral.

It transpires that not only were the women assaulted (hair pulled, punched, clobbered with walking stick etc) but an ITV reporter was also punched in the face.

Name and address supplied

New timetable for tall people

I would like to thank the person responsible for displaying the new bus time table at my local bus stop. Anyone who is 6ft 2ins and has perfect eye sight will find it very useful.

Christine Slater, Shrewsbury

Derby match not life or death

I love football and I love Wolves. But I am also very aware that the game is simply 22 men kicking a bag of wind around a field.

So while I desperately want Wolves to beat the Baggies, I won't be fighting over it. I hope all other fans will take the same attitude.

Mark Pickett, Bridgnorth

Well done on Liquidator ban

Well done to Wolves, from a lifelong Albion fan, for their continued ban on the playing of "The Liquidator".

Pity that the Albion board and management don't have the same guts and character.

I have been a supporter since 1949, missing very few home matches. Having fought the club privately over a period of time, I decided about 10 years ago, with great regret, that I had heard enough of the filthy F-word being spewed out against Wolves by a minority of lowlifes and stopped attending.

Well done again to Wolves, and shame on the Albion.

Jim Willetts, Midlands

Armed forces must be priority

I was watching our so-called Prime Minister at the dispatch box answering questions on the welfare budget and our armed forces. Once again, my blood was boiling. Our Prime Minister and his useless Cabinet ministers need a reminder.

Every nation, including ours, is duty-bound to defend its country first, above everything else. Yet, over the last 20 years or so, we have become mired in bureaucracy and hubris.

When it comes to our armed forces, they have to play second fiddle to the welfare budget, which we cannot sustain for ever.

It is bringing this country to its knees and needs a major overhaul. But with left-wing Labour MPs, there is no chance.

Ron Goodall, Midlands

I am very firmly with the birds

'Listen to those who have the experience', are wise words written in a letter to the Star. Experience is a valuable source of knowledge and generates ideas, as Mr Isaac Newton noted when an apple dropped on his head. However, 'scientific-evidence' seeks to combine different sources of data, test a hypothesis to check validity and to predict outcomes. Lastly, political ideology decides future policy to determine which outcomes society prefers. As for me, 'I am with the birds', and unlike some countryside groups do not require a lobbying budget to win my support.

Roger Norton, Shrewsbury

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