Arriva North West Bus set to close Cheshire depots

Mike Amesbury MP said loss of the services was "unacceptable"

Arriva bus services in parts of Cheshire could be axed as the company's announced plans to close two depots.

The firm is consulting staff about closing its Winsford and Macclesfield depots and means there would be no Arriva buses in Winsford, Northwich, Crewe or Macclesfield.

It said it was a "last resort" but blamed falling passenger numbers combined with increased costs.

Mike Amesbury MP said loss of the services was "unacceptable".

The Weaver Vale representative has launched a petition along with Cheshire West council leader Louise Gittins to stop the plans, which has been signed by more than 1,000 people.

"People are angry and quite distraught because this is about getting from A to B, whether that is work or school or leisure," Mr Amesbury said.

"It will undoubtedly affect productivity in our part of Cheshire."

'Last resort'

He said councillors and MPs were given no advance notice of the proposals and had asked for an urgent meeting with Arriva to discuss alternatives.

One resident from Shavington, told BBC Radio Stoke it was "going to be impossible" for people who rely on buses to get to Leighton Hospital if the service is axed.

Pauline, a Shavington resident, said it would be "impossible" to get to Leighton Hospital

Janet, who lives in Sandbach, said she used the at-risk services to get to Crewe because that was the only place she could do her banking and to see friends and relatives in Congleton and Macclesfield.

She said cutting services would "cause a lot of problems for a lot of people".

An Arriva North West Bus spokesman said the decisions had been taken "with great regret" and closing depots was "always a very last resort".

He added: "This very difficult decision has been taken following exhaustive steps to turn around the loss-making services.

"But with consistently too few customers to cover the increased cost of running services it is sadly necessary to launch a consultation with affected employees on closing the depots."

The firm said if the depots were closed it would work with the council to see if routes could be taken over by new operators.