HERE are the proposed changes to bus services across St Helens which have been outlined as part of a two-week public consultation period.

The Department of Transport will have funding removed this autumn, meaning that there are proposed changes to bus services, including fewer services and merged routes, which will be introduced on September 4, 2022.

The affected routes

In St Helens, the proposals include the withdrawal of route 37 from St Helens to Eccleston.

The Sutton Manor to Chain Lane service (30) will now merge with the St Helens to Widnes (17) and from route and extend to Widnes, taking place every 30 minutes. It will be called the 30 route.

There will also be a reduction is the frequency of buses catering to the St Helens – Rainford circular route (38), Liverpool-Halton Hospital (61) route and the St Helens – Wigan (352) route.

However there will be increased numbers for the 10a stagecoach service connecting Liverpool and St Helens to every 7 minutes.

<h2>Reason for the changes</h2>

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority website states the changes are being proposed to “ensure that a sustainable network is in place” that “reflects changes in travel demands and patterns”.

It states: “These changes are being proposed to ensure that a sustainable network is in place which reflects changes in travel demands and patterns whilst continuing to maintain bus network coverage, encourage passenger growth, and promote bus as a preferred mode of travel.

“While some services have seen a good rate of recovery in passenger numbers since the removal of Covid-19 restrictions, others have not.

“This means that they may require changes to their route or timetable to allow them to remain sustainable.”

Opposition to the plans

St Helens North MP Conor McGinn said: “I’m deeply concerned and disappointed that private operators are proposing yet further cuts to our local bus services.

“If enacted, the reductions would be a significant blow to connectivity across St Helens Borough and Merseyside, and would leave residents with a poorer, more fragmented service. That would be particularly felt by older, vulnerable people and areas more reliant on our buses such as Garswood, Billinge, Moss Bank and Rainford in my constituency.

"I call on operators to urgently slam the brakes on these plans and think again.

“I’ll keep working with our local council and city region, both to hammer home that message and to transform our bus network away from Conservative Ministers’ failed experiment with de-regulation and towards a world-class service that puts people firmly before profits.”

To see an overview of changes to the St Helens Bus Network from September 4 2022 and to share your views on the following changes click here.