Bus firm restores service to village
Parish council and water firm make diversion route suitable after fears for people who rely on public transport
Parish councillor Bob Keys said those most affected by the lack of bus services would have been the elderly or students who had no means of getting around.
He said: “We live in a fairly rural area and for those who have their own cars, this usually is not a problem. But there are a lot of people who rely on public transport to get around for many different things such as medical appointments, work or even shopping trips.
“Those were the people we were most concerned about as they could so easily become isolated with no bus services. There had been a bit of an outcry on social media about the fact the buses were no longer coming through the village, so the parish council worked with the companies involved to find a solution.
“We spoke to the contractors and Severn Trent and agreed for the low hanging branches to be pruned so that buses could get through the route easily.
“We’re happy Midland Classic has now agreed to reinstate the buses and, hopefully, they will make a big difference to those that were struggling.”
A spokesman for Midland Classic said: “Following discussions with Yoxall Parish Council, Amey and Severn Trent Water we are pleased to say that the trees along Dunstall Cross have been pruned, now making this a suitable diversion route.
“This means buses will return to withdrawn bus services in Yoxall because it said serving Yoxall and Kings Bromley from Thursday, October 11, with buses diverting at Barton Gate via Forest Road and Dunstall Cross to the A515 at The Foresters then to the Crown and normal line of route.
“This diversion takes longer than the normal route so buses may be delayed further down the route. We will monitor and alter the times if we need to.”