Residents 'shell shocked' by 'cruel' bus closure

Lynne Warrington who uses the service regularly to meet friends in Andover said the closure was "cruel"

There is growing anger over the closure of a bus route connecting Hampshire and Berkshire, which some residents said would leave them completely cut off.

The number 7/7A from Andover to Newbury is set to cease operating at the end of August after Hampshire County Council decided to withdraw funding last year.

The authority said "unfortunately" the route - which is operated by Stagecoach - had "not attracted sufficient passenger numbers to make it viable for continued support".

But one local resident Caitlin Hammond said the cuts were "shell shocking" and that she was "gutted" by the closure.

Ms Hammond, who lives in Hurstbourne Tarrant and does not have a car, said the Number 7 was the only bus route servicing the village.

"I've lived here for seven years now and since moving here I've relied on the bus massively, especially since having my daughter," the mother of one explained.

Leslie Barry said people's right to travel was "being taken away"

Concerns have also been raised by residents in Enham-Alamein where a large number of elderly and disabled people live.

Lynne Warrington, who has Multiple Scelorsis and lives in nearby Highclere, said she used the service regularly to meet friends in Andover.

"This bus service is my only route to getting out of the house and seeing people. To take it away is cruel," she said.

"It's just sinking in that I'm going to be housebound."

Leslie Barry, the sub postmaster in the village and chair of the parish council, said: "The bus is massive part of socialization for many people here. Everyone has the right to travel and that's being taken away."

The route is set to close at the end of this month

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: "We understand that those who rely on the 7/7A Andover - Newbury service will be disappointed by its withdrawal.

"Unfortunately, the route has not attracted sufficient passenger numbers to make it viable for continued support.

"We recognise how important transport connections are to residents in rural areas and continue to explore cost-effective alternatives where feasible."

West Berkshire Council said from September its Community Connect service would be extended to cover the Andover Road in Newbury while it reviewed its longer term plans for the route.