Fury as Transport for West Midlands axes vital bus to Heartlands Hospital, leaving locals stranded
A campaign has been launched against a decision to axe a vital bus route used by residents in a key road to get to hospital.
Transport for West Midlands recently announced changes to the 73 bus which currently runs from Solihull Town Centre to Heartlands Hospital – but campaigners have launched a petition calling for a U-turn.
Beginning in January the bus is being renumbered to the 98/99 service but crucially with a route change so there is no longer a stop in Old Lode Lane.
Elmdon ward councillor Laura McCarthy said this will mean many residents on the road will be stranded and not able to get to the hospital.
“A couple of weeks ago they announced the change,” the councillor said.
“Old Lode Lane is quite a major route through the Hatchford Brook area.
“We launched a petition because we had so many people contact us as soon as it was announced.
“People reached out saying ‘how am I going to get to the hospital’ and ‘I have regular appointments’, or ‘I go and visit loved ones’.
“And a couple of people have said I work there (at the hospital).”
Coun McCarthy said walking to another stop or changing buses was not practical for many residents in the road with mobility issues, calling for Transport of West Midlands (TfWM) – which has made the decision – to now take urgent action.
The online petition calls for the 98/99 service to be revised so that it includes a loop from the Wheatsheaf pub, down Hobs Moat Road and onto Old Lode Lane, before re-joining Coventry Road by the Wheatsheaf.
The councillor added the strength of feeling was apparent from the petition’s support with it gaining more than 40 signatures in the first few hours of being launched.
A TfWM spokesperson said: “We understand residents’ concerns regarding the loss of a direct Heartlands Hospital link from Old Lode Lane.
“But by redesigning the network and combining this and another service in the new 98/99 service, we have prevented the total loss of these routes and created a more frequent service for the wider area.
“Residents of Old Lode Lane can still reach Heartlands Hospital with a single change of bus.”
The petition can be found at solihull-libdems.org.uk/campaigns/petitions/save-our-bus.