“Lifeline” bus service reinstated in Hightown three years after being axed

A ‘lifeline’ bus service that was axed more than three years ago is being reinstated.

Arriva is reviving the No.42w and No.42 service which enabled residents, many of whom were elderly, to travel from Stockwell Grove in Hightown into Wrexham’s city centre.

The service was withdrawn in March 2019, along with a host of other routes across the Wrexham area, after it had become financially unviable, despite the protests from passengers and a campaign led by Hermitage Councillor Graham Rogers who described the move as devastating.

At the time he said: “If you are on a low income, can’t drive or are elderly and there’s no bus service here, and you haven’t got any family with a car, how are you going to get to town and do your food shopping? They will be stranded.”

Now, three-and-a-half years later, an Arriva spokesman has confirmed that the company is bringing the service back from September 11.

The bus will pick up in Stockwell Grove (Waterloo Close) at 7.41am, 8.43am, 9.08am, 10.08am, 11.08am, 12.08pm, 1.08pm, 3.08pm, and
4.08pm.

Cllr Rogers has welcomed the return of the service and says it will make a huge difference to quality of life for residents in Stockwell Grove.

“I’m over the moon, it feels like a lottery win because of the difference it will make to people”, he said.

“I can’t express how I feel, it’s nothing but joy.

“Every opportunity I’ve had since the service was taken away, I’ve raised it with whoever I could to try and get it back.

“It will give people the chance to get out and mix, to socialise on the bus, when they have been isolated for so long.

“I’d like to thank Arriva for taking on the service again and all those involved in making this happen, especially Darren Williams the Chief Officer (for environment and technical) at Wrexham Council for his role in this too.  It’s fantastic.”

By Rory Sheehan – BBC Local Democracy Reporter