Angus villagers marooned as bus withdrawn

Residents are left without service during Covid-19 lockdown

Angus villagers who rely on public transport have been marooned during lockdown after the plug was pulled on their only bus service.

Kind-hearted neighbours in East Haven have come to the rescue by keeping car-less residents supplied with essentials during the pandemic – but there is no immediate end in sight to their plight.

The 73A service normally passes through on its way from Arbroath and terminates at Ninewells in Dundee.

Since lockdown the village has been put on a Sunday service, but the 73A does not stop there on a Sunday.

Villager Trevor Byrom has a car and is luckier than many who have had no means of travelling.

He said: “We’re all just pulling together to make sure that things are picked up for those people who would normally use the bus service.

“One of them is a care worker who would normally use it get to her work, so she’s been having to spend money on taxis all the way through lockdown.

“I have contacted Stagecoach, to no avail, but we’ve been managing to make sure people get what they need. It’s not very public spirited to leave the village without any public transport.”

A spokesman for Stagecoach East Scotland said the firm was urging everyone to follow the government guidance, avoid non-essential travel and only leave the house to make essential journeys for work, medicine or groceries.

“Our timetables are under constant review to ensure critical routes are still being maintained and we will continue to monitor them in agreement with local authorities in line with government advice, customer feedback, the number of passengers travelling and local circumstances,” the spokesman added.

“If any changes are made to service 73A or any of our other timetables, this information will be issued on our website and social media channels.”

Residents are also concerned about the closure of the main village car park for the next three weeks as part of a gas main replacement project. The works were delayed by the coronavirus crisis, but got under way yesterday.

The limited parking in the centre of the village will be for residents, deliveries and emergency services access only

Picture: Gareth Jennings. Trevor Byrom and other East Haven residents are unhappy the 73A does not stop in the village.