Cressbrook bus service cancelled as cars block route

The 173 bus service was stuck for two hours at Cressbrook Dale as cars had double parked

A bus service has cancelled its route through a village after cars parked at a beauty spot blocked the road, making it impossible to pass.

The 173 service has been having problems in Cressbrook, Derbyshire, for months and on Thursday a bus was stuck for two hours.

Hulleys of Baslow, said it was the final straw and the village would now be without public transport.

Derbyshire County Council said it was aware of the issue.

The 173 bus will now run through Wardlow, between Monsal Head and Litton, but not travel through Cressbrook.

Alf Crofts, managing director and owner of the company, said it used the smallest possible vehicles but "cannot send a bus down the road and not know if it is coming back again".

Cressbrook Dale, in the Peak District, is popular with tourists

He said he had contacted the county council but not had a response.

"The ones who can deal with this don't seem to be interested," he said.

"Until there is something concrete in place being enforced, we are done."

He said the service was not well used but a lot of people who did use it were elderly and relied on the bus.

Resident John Howe, who uses the bus most days, said he would be "snookered" without the service.

"I do a bit of shopping, get a paper, have a drink of coffee, meet some friends, and come home," he said.

"I don't drive so will have to pay someone to take me out."

Carol Perks, who has lived in Cressbrook for 20 years, said it was "such a shame".

She urged people to park "more thoughtfully" and "politely".