Liberal Democrat councillors representing Short Heath and New Invention areas of Willenhall attended a consultation meeting last night organised by CENTRO (the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority) to have an input into a review being carried out on bus services to the West of Walsall and Wolverhampton reports Liberal Democrat councillor Ian Shires.

“The Liberal Democrat Focus Teams across Short Heath and Willenhall North Wards had run Bus Surveys in their February editions of Focus” said Ian so we were able to pass on the views of the many people who responded.”

The biggest issues centred around the current lack of services which would link residents living in the Short Heath area with both the Manor Hospital in Walsall and the New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton.

Residents living in the New Invention area were concerned about the lack of services linking Allens Rough, Sneyd Park, Essington Road and Coppice Farm with Wolverhampton.

There was also a call for express services on the 529 Walsall, Wolverhampton service through Willenhall and a possible new service linking Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, New Invention, Short Heath, Bentley to J10 of the M6 then on to Birmingham.

Concerns were also passed on about the ridiculous practice of the Nation Express 333 and Midland 9 Walsall, Lodge Farm services being time tabled to run half hourly services within minutes of each other. Bus users made the point point that if the bus companies were more interested in providing a service to the public, instead of fighting each other for passengers, it would be possible to have a 15min service on the route.

Other issues discussed were the unreliability of Walsall to Willenhall services through Short Heath and New Invention, 341,340 and 369 services. Dirty buses, dirty bus stops, smoking bad language and mobile phones all got a mention.

Consultations continue and a further meeting is being planned to see what bus operators plan in the form of changes as a result of the consultation.

“Because of de-regulation we are in the hands of the bus operators” said Ian. “Let’s hope that they listen to the points we have made on behalf of those who responded to our survey.”