Demands for Knap late buses

Feb 28 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

PRESSURE is mounting for evening and Sunday bus services to be introduced at a popular Barry beauty spot.

The Knap, Barry, is left isolated after 6pm when bus services stop and local councillors, residents and businessmen have now joined forces to demand a better service.

Councillor Steffan Wiliam said: “Many people in The Knap, Barry Island and the Garden Suburb have lived there for more than 40 years and have now reached an age where they can no longer drive.

“Without public transport it is very difficult for friends to visit each other and to go about their daily lives.”

Ioan Davis, owner of Hedley’s restaurant, on The Knap, said: “The lack of an evening bus service can hit business.

“Some people cannot or do not want to drive and cannot afford taxi fares. Without the alternative of a bus, it is very difficult for them to come here for an evening out.

“Personally, if I want to travel to Cardiff Bay for an evening out there is no bus to take us there from The Knap. A taxi would cost more than £30.”

Knap resident Bob Gardner, 58, said: “There are many elderly people living here who rely on a bus service. I don’t rely on the buses at the moment, but the time will come when I may well need them.

“We feel a bit isolated here and need an evening bus service.”

Rob Quick, the Vale council’s director of environmental and economic regeneration, said: “Public transport is of particular importance to those in the community who may not have direct access to private transport.

“There is also an increasingly ageing population in the Garden Suburb area who tend to rely more heavily on local bus services.”

Discussions on service provision are to be held between the council and the bus companies.

Although the companies, Cardiff Bus and EST Bus Ltd, do not have to consult with the council over commercial services, they have agreed to talks with the authority over services in the town, including The Knap.

peter.collins@mediawales.co.uk