Stranded after yobs force buses off road
AMAN was stranded in the wind and rain after yob attacks on buses meant services were cancelled.
Paul Smart, 61, from Widnes, visited the Halton Royal British Legion in Runcorn for lunch at the club on Sunday last week and set off towards the bus station at Shopping City to head home.
Instead he said he found the doors to the bus station locked.
The former heart surgery patient, who is also awaiting a double hip replacement, said there was no notice from bus company Arriva to say what was going on and he learned what was going on from a cleaner on the other side of the glass.
Mr Smart struggled to find a taxi as he walked to Asda on West Lane and back to Trident Park before finally finding one and heading home to Widnes.
It was around 9pm and long after he had initially sought to set off at around 7.30pm.
He said: “The doors had been locked at 7pm. You couldn’t even get in the back, which is the first time I’ve ever known that.
“I didn’t know what was going on. I don’t have a computer – I’ve got an old-fashioned mobile.
“All the Arriva buses had been cancelled. I couldn’t get in – I found out (what was going on) talking to a cleaner gesticulating.”
Adding that he’d “never ever experienced anything like it”, Mr Smart said: “My concern is I’ve got my own ill health and two stents, recovering from cancer, long Covid, and got to have hips replaced.
“I live in a flat in social housing. My concern is how many people were left stranded? I was asking strangers to take me to a taxi.”
Bus operator Arriva cut short and diverted several of its east Runcorn services over the previous weekend in response to ongoing problems with yobs, which had resulted in Cheshire Police imposing dispersal orders covering Trident Park, West Lane and the busway.
Another dispersal order spanning the same area was in force last weekend.
Police said that incidents of antisocial behaviour were to blame, including “items” being thrown at buses and smashing their windows.
An Arriva North West spokesman said: “The decision to temporarily suspend Arriva services on the Runcorn busway was due to increased ASB incidents against our buses.
“We felt it was unsafe for staff and passengers to continue to operate services at the time.
“Services have now resumed, running as normal for the last few days.
“We’re also working closely with local police, who are monitoring antisocial behaviour in the area.”
Chief Inspector Andy Blizard said last week: “Over the weekend there were no arrests, but there were two dispersal orders issued.
“There were incidents on Friday night with buses damaged, but nothing on Saturday or Sunday so we are seeing a decrease, but there was a report of youths on the busway last night so we will continue to crack down on this behaviour.
“I would urge anyone who witnesses or feels that they have been subjected to anti-social behaviour to report this to us by calling 101 or reporting it via our website so that we can investigate further.”
CI Blizard added: “Groups of youths have been congregating in the Trident and being disruptive.
“They have also been on the busways interfering with buses, throwing items at them resulting in some windows being smashed.
“Operation Initiator is our response to the issues and this has been running since last weekend.
“This will continue all this week, all through the weekend into next week.’’
The inspector added: “We have also been working with the bus company and Halton Borough Council – making sure there is a joined-up approach.”
Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury told the Weekly News: “I was really concerned Arriva was trying to reduce services seemingly because of a minority of people involved in antisocial behaviour.
“I raised the matter with police and to their credit they have been taking action around this including issuing a dispersal order.
“Reassurances have been given around ensuring passenger safety, with officers dedicated to the situation.
“I’m pleased Arriva has now resumed services as normal.”