Cannock bus link to Wolverhampton axed

A vital bus service which links Cannock to Wolverhampton is set to be axed by the end of next month, it has been revealed today.

Arriva, who currently run the 68 and 69 services from Cannock to Wolverhampton, via Essington, have given notice that they intend to axe the service on Saturday, February 26.

At present, the Monday to Saturday, Cannock to Wolverhampton service runs every 30 minutes from 7am until 5pm. The service then runs at 5pm, 6pm, 8pm, and 10pm.

The loss of services is a further blow to Cannock commuters after the announcement last summer that Centro could no longer afford to fund the half hourly Birmingham-Walsall-Cannock-Rugeley trains which have since been switched to an hour.

Keith Myatt, a spokesman for Arriva who run the service, said the firm had been forced to axe it due to cutbacks nationally from the coalition government.

He said: "It would be impossible for us to sustain profits commercially."

Mr Myatt added Cannock and Wolverhampton commuters will still be able to make use of the half-hourly 70 service which runs between the two via Featherstone and Cheslyn Hay.

Essington Parish Council hoped to step in to save the service which was partly introduced by the council two years ago.

The chairman of Essington Parish Council, councillor David Clifft, who also sits on South Staffordshire Council said: "Essington Parish Council had helped to introduce the two services two years ago which have been a great success.

He added: "Both the 68 and 69 day time services do not receive any subsidy." He said: "Any cuts to the current services would be detrimental to the community."