North Wales calls reiterates campaign to reinstate Llandegla and Tweedmill bus routes

A North Wales Member of the Senedd has called for a ‘pragmatic approach’ to 20mph along some arterial routes in order to save bus routes across the region.

Carolyn Thomas, Labour MS, began her campaign following the removal of bus services operated by Arriva to Llandegla and Tweedmill.

The bus operator made these changes following a punctuality review, revealing that 90% of its routes across the region have been affected by new 20mph speed limits.

In January Arriva agreed that they could operate the first and last journey of the X51 in and out of Llandegla, with Denbighshire Council providing a temporary minibus to run the timetable in between.

Carolyn Thomas has been bringing local authorities from across North Wales together with the operator to find a pragmatic way forward.

The MS has also met with community groups and trade unions to hear more about the impact on local residents and bus drivers.

She recently raised the issue with the newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates MS who promised to meet with Arriva and ‘move forward in partnership’.

Ken Skates MS also promised a ‘change of course’ on the Wales’ controversial 20mph policy, including a ‘listening process’ about potential 20mph changes.

Speaking in the Senedd chamber, Carolyn Thomas MS said: “Arriva did a review of 90 per cent of the bus network following the implementation of 20 mph.

“I had a meeting with them, and they said that if some of the arterial routes could be reviewed, enabling some minutes be gained back, they would return services to places such as Llandegla and to Tweedmill.

“I did suggest that they took it up with local authorities, suggesting which arterial routes could be made back up.

“They also suggested interventions and targeted initiatives, such as using 106 funding from new developments for bus passes, so new residents can start using the public bus transport. They do that in Chester.

“So, would you meet with Arriva, Cabinet Secretary, to make sure that this will go ahead, that this will actually happen, because I believe that the interim bus service to Llandegla is about to end, and I’d like to see things moving quickly so that Arriva will return that service to there?”

The Cabinet Secretary said: “Can I thank Carolyn Thomas for her question? She’s regularly championing the needs of her residents in Llandegla. I’m very familiar with the village, of course, and I know just how important the bus service to and from it is.

“I will be meeting with Arriva very soon; I’ll be looking at the impact that 20 mph has had on its services, and I know that Transport for Wales has conducted a comprehensive exercise in mapping all bus routes in the region for their impact in terms of 20 mph on journey times.

“So, I’ll be speaking with Arriva about that and how we can move forward in partnership.

“What’s happening in Chester is incredibly interesting, I think. There are elected representatives and officials from Chester who form part of Growth Track 360.

“I’m looking forward to meeting with them and learning more about that particular scheme and how perhaps the north Wales regional transport plan could benefit from that sort of innovation.”