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MARKET hall traders launch petition calling for new bus stops (‘Bus station move is crippling market hall’, August 5) Mel McAvoy: Things are so bleak on Peel Street, not just the market hall, there’s shops there that are really struggling as no passing trade whatsoever. How are shops supposed to trade without custom? Judith Addison: As the Conservative councillor appointed to Hyndburn Borough Council’s Cabinet Public Transport Working Group two years ago, I have said at some of the quarterly meetings that when the new bus station opened we would need a “shuttle bus” to transport elderly and disabled residents from the bus station to Church Street, Warner Street and Abbey Street. Sarah Terry: I work in Church Street and we have seen an immediate drop in custom from the opening of the new bus station. Also customers are leaving earlier as they have much further to go to catch a bus. I’m sure that shop owners of surrounding areas will also sign the petition. Bev Nixon: It was always obvious that it would affect trade. Why would people, especially the elderly, walk from the bus station to the market when there is a shiny new Farmfoods across the road and access to Aldi and even Asda is now much easier? I personally go to the market but get a taxi back up. It costs about the same as a bus ticket! Rachel Kirsty: The bus station is a massive improvement to the town. Ok it’s a few extra steps to the market and such but what the heck? Be grateful eh! Amanda Hyatt: My mother-in-law is one of the ladies who has cut the amount she buys due to the long walk with heavy bags of fresh fruit, veg and meat. She is in her 80s and would purchase her market buys then get straight on the bus home as it was just steps from the market. Nigel Rigby: It was to be expected, moving the main bus station away from the traditional, well established town centre was bound to divert trade and footfall away from this key area. A very backward step for the town centre of Accrington. Mel McAvoy: Blackburn is a prime example that we could have learnt from, look where their new bus station was in the early 90s near the train station – 20 odd years later they move their bus station back to Ainsworth Street – back next to the MARKET! Doesn’t take rocket science. David Bates: An old lady broke down in tears when she got in my taxi after a passer-by saw her struggling to make it through town, bless her. It’s not the first time unfortunately, almost all the elderly I speak to are not happy about the station being moved. Jonathon C White: Absolute no brainer. Should have always kept a bus stop. Josh Blayne Allen: Unfortunately won’t happen, it would mean buses having to use either the narrow one way system or go all the way round past Tesco which means longer travel times. Nicha Louise Marie Fowler: Are you serious, you can walk out of the bus station straight outside the Arndale! This town was struggling way before we got the new bus station, and let’s face it we needed one. Bill Purcell: There was (or still is) a bus stop outside the Railway pub, if the bus station is now behind the railway then surely it’s obvious the market/ market hall now needs a bus stop! Chris Bamber: They should approach the bus companies to request more convenient stops nearby, as the report says. Failing that, it could be an opportunity for a mobility shop to locate themselves near the bus station. Linda Dakin: Very sad, the heart of the town being bypassed in favour of supermarket shopping. Well done planners!! Not. Shirley Southward: A little service bus from Peel Street to the bus station may work....for the elderly or disabled? Lisa Crowson: It’s only a small walk...if the market was worth going to people would still go...on the flip side the new bus depot was a stupid idea on every level. Andrew Moxham: Should have been more vociferous about the location of the bus station at the planning stage, it’s no good now it’s built. Christine Rawcliffe: The money used to fund the bus station could have been used to revamp the old bus station. Clare Cleary: It is a short walk. Jennifer Shilliday: I signed that petition on Tuesday. Steven Lee Hacking: Ludicrous statement. Do market traders honestly think trade is down because people have to walk 150 yards. It’s quiet because people are on holiday.

HYNDBURN MP promises to stick by Labour if Jeremy Corbyn wins (MP Jones says state of Labour is ‘shocking’ but he is staying put, Observer August 5) Denise Karan: If he were truly sticking by Labour he would have stood by his democratically selected leader. How dare he support Owen Smith in what was basically an undemocratic coup! Sorry Graham Jones but I won’t be sticking by you. Gary M Hough: If he wins it’s for a reason and that is party members want him to run it. Support Corbyn and the party. Josh Blayne Allen: Surely he should have backed Corbyn when he first became leader

COUNCIL tax rise among proposals to meet £89,000 funding shortfall (‘Tax rise an option in funds shortfall’, July 29) Paul Geary: Surely a little from everyone is better than putting the whole burden on the poorest. Love the fact our council tax hasn’t risen since 2010, and I’m not suggesting we start imposing annual rises but if needs must. Paul Taylforth: What is the point of Hyndburn council having a consultation on this when they totally rejected the majority opinion of last year’s consultation on the same subject?