THE AXING of a key bus route between Runcorn and Warrington has drawn criticism, with the services set to be withdrawn next month.

MP Mike Amesbury, whose constituency covers Runcorn East, has hit out at Warrington’s Own Buses in a letter where says the decision left him ‘extremely disappointed’.

The Labour MP for Weaver Vale says the move to end the subsidised route will have a serious impact on the village of Moore and Sandymoor.

In a letter to the bus company, Mr Amesbury wrote: “As you can imagine, I am extremely disappointed by the decision.

“The withdrawal of this service is of particular concern to the village of Moore and Sandymoor, both of which will be left without any direct bus service, rendering these communities effectively inaccessible by public transport.

“The current advised alternatives listed by Warrington’s Own Buses – 32, 110, and X30 – do not currently serve either of these communities.”

Mr Amesbury says this latest cut is another example of why Tory deregulation of bus services must be reversed ‘to instead give passengers and communities the public transport they deserve’.

He has also written to Liverpool Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, who plans to reregulate bus services in Liverpool City Region, and Halton Borough Council asking them to step in and save the number 62.

Mr Amesbury pointed out there are a number of housing schemes targeting the Sandymoor area that assume access to public transport which would not exist if this service was withdrawn, adding to his fears about a lack of adequate infrastructure.

The MP continued: “The service is also utilised by students throughout Runcorn who use it to attend Priestley College.

“Without the 62 service, these students will be left in a very precarious position in being able to continue their attendance at this college.”

Warrington’s Own Buses says the service withdrawal is due to a reduction in funding, and that despite some subsidy from Halton Borough Council, it is not enough to cover the costs of the operation, making it unviable.