Residents and staff at a Chorleywood retirement village who expressed their dismay after a bus service serving them was axed are to have talks with the bus company.
The 336 Carousel Bus service to Cedars retirement village has been stopped, meaning those staying at the village can no longer easily access nearby towns and villages on public transport.
Carousel Buses Ltd will be meeting staff and residents to explain their decision and manager Colin Foulger said he is hopeful a comprise could be reached.
Residents at the village say the closure means they now have to traipse across fields or cross a
Mr Foulger said: “Ever since Cedars retirement village was built in 1995 residents have benefited from a regular bus service, using it for shopping trips and medical appointments.
“However, without any formal discussion, consultation or notification, service providers Carousel Buses Ltd, is stopping the daily service that gives access to Watford, Chorleywood and High Wycombe.
“Hertfordshire County Council was aware of this decision. Residents, mostly 75-90yrs, will now have to walk along grass verges on Dog Kennel Lane to the main road to catch a bus – this is dangerous and impractical.
“Carousel Buses Ltd has finally agreed to meet us to discuss their decision. Even a reduced service would help provide a social lifeline. We are exploring all avenues to get some form of public transport re-instated.
“Whilst we understand commercial realities, we also recognise the social responsibility of local authorities /service providers to support our ageing population who are attempting to continue living independently.”
Councillor Martin Trevett, for the Chorleywood South and Maple Cross Ward, added: “Carousel’s plan to withdraw the 336 bus service from Cedars Village is In my view disgraceful, and is based on penny pinching priorities, serving Cedars Village only adds four or five minutes to the journey times, but the withdrawal of the service will effectively cut off elderly residents of Cedars Village, who can not now drive from the outside world.
“The bus company Carousel, have produced, figures that only one person a day boards the bus at the village, these take no account of sessional variations and do not detail those who alight from the bus at Cedar’s Village to visit friends and relations.
“So what I am calling for is for Carousel to produce usage figures for the last six months, and come along to meet the public to justify their view.”
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