SINCE Monday, September 5, the number six Thelwall Circular has been re-routed down All Saints’ Drive and no longer serves Stockport Road beyond this point.

As a result the residents of Stockport Road and other side roads no longer have an accessible bus service.

As the majority of these residents are elderly many will be unable to walk to the nearest bus stops which would involve negotiating a fairly steep hill.

The service enabled residents to access the GP surgery and Community Centre at Latchford Locks and travel to Stockton Heath and the town centre for shopping and leisure activities.

The new route is just over a mile shorter than the original one so any financial savings will be negligible.

The loss of a valued service can only result in increased social isolation for elderly residents and result in increased pressure on already over-burdened health and social services. It is claimed the service was under-used and it is true that at present many of the residents have a car.

However, due to increasing age many residents who can currently drive will inevitably become dependent on public transport in the next few years and with no bus service will be unable to access essential services.

I am aware that Network Warrington has to operate on a commercial basis but feel that the short-sighted decision to curtail our bus service will cause major problems both for the residents and the wider community.

DAVID HACKETT Thelwall