A COUNCILLOR has called for First Bus to reverse its decision to remove a sheltered stop outside Tesco in Warndon Villages from a popular route.

Andy Roberts, who represents Warndon on the city and county councils, said he was alarmed to discover the stop outside the supermarket in Mill Wood Drive was to be taken out of the number 34 route.

He uses the service every Saturday and said he was handed a leaflet about the cut at the weekend, just two days before the change was made.

Less than 400 yards away are two unsheltered stops which have been added to the route instead, and Cllr Roberts admits it’s “not a massive change” but said that’s not the point.

Particularly at this time of year, people were able to “shuffle round” to the shelter in the rain with their shopping while they wait to get picked up, but now will be exposed to the elements, he said.

“I’m working with officers to see that shelters are provided but I’m also exploring whether First will reverse its decision,” added the councillor.

He said while there isn’t an obligation to consult with the public about such matters before decisions are made, if First Bus had informed the local authorities, arrangements could have been made.

A Villages resident contacted Cllr Roberts and told him she had waited at the sheltered stop on Monday not knowing of the change.”

“There’s no sign on the stop informing people and she waited there until someone told her what had happened,” he said.

“I can understand the decision to do to cut the route down and save money but I would have liked but I would have liked them to have contacted us and allowed for more discussion.

First Bus was unavailable to comment.

The county council did not wish to add anything further to what Cllr Roberts had already said.

As of this week, a number of routes have been altered or withdrawn by First Bus in the city.

These include Route 30: Worcester – Dines Green; Routes 31/31A: Worcester – Henwick Park – University St John’s Campus; Route 32: Worcester – St Peter’s – Kempsey - Baynall; Route 33: Worcester – Tolladine - Warndon – Blackpole; Nimrod; Route 35: Worcester – Rainbow Hill – Warndon; Route 37: Worcester – Bevere.

For the full list of changes see:

Bus cuts: All of the changes