UNDER-FIRE National Express is now "looking to improve services" after over 100 people attended a public meeting in Old Hill in the wake of the cancellation of the 297 and 205 bus services.

Stephanie Peacock, Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Halesowen and Rowley Regis, organised the meeting at Our Lady of Lourdes Church as part of her campaign to reinstate the bus services.

Hundreds of residents signed a petition after Halesowen, Blackheath, Cradley Heath and Old Hill no longer have a direct bus service to Russells Hall Hospital.

Miss Peacock said: “I organised the meeting so people could raise concerns directly with the bus operator about how the changes to the bus routes are affecting them as many felt their was little consultation on the changes."

She added: "We had a huge response to our public meeting; over a hundred local people came along to raise their concerns.

“People are very angry about the changes to the local bus service. It is completely unacceptable that the direct bus service to Russells Hall Hospital has been axed and there are many residents, especially on Lodgefield who are cut off without their bus.

She added: “Many told the meeting how they are resorting to paying for taxis to hospital, elderly people are not able to leave their homes, people are struggling to get their weekly shop and some are finding it hard to get to work.

“It is clear that the changes are having a significant impact on non-car owners and the elderly."

Jack Kelly, head of external communications at National Express West Midlands, faced the irate residents at the meeting last Tuesday.

He said: “There is clearly a lot of public feeling regarding the recent changes to the 297 and in particular from residents on Lodgefield and Station Road.

"I promised the meeting I would take their concerns back and see what we could do to address them."

He added: "We are currently looking at ways to improve services to this area and I will stay in touch with local residents throughout this process.”