Petition Is Quickly Set Up Over Proposed Axing Of Arriva’s No.17 Bus Route

Published on: 31 Jan, 2016
Updated on: 1 Feb, 2016

Residents have been quick off the mark in setting up a petition against the proposed axing by Arriva of its No.17 bus route from Guildford to Fairlands via Wood Street Village.

It follows a flurry of activity on social media including Facebook and letters published here on The Guildford Dragon NEWS.

The petition, filed with Surrey County Council and available to sign on its website, was created by Stephen Jones of Wood Street Village.

The petiton against the proposed axing of the No.17 bus route has been set up quickly and word is getting round fast via websites and social media.

The details stated for the petition read: “Arriva has given notice that the No.17 bus route via Wood Street Village is to cease from March 14th, 2016. This would leave residents and visitors to Wood Street with no public transport. Many elderly, student and other non-drivers rely on the service for essential trips to Guildford for shopping, doctors/dentist appointments and school/college/university etc. We would like SCC to fund/maintain the route or provide an adequate alternative which will not leave residents relying on the bus route stranded.”

The first letter to The Dragon was from Les Ames, asking about rumours of the withdrawal of the bus service, and was published on January 26. So far, there have been 15 comments to his letter, including one from Guildford West Surrey County Councillor Fiona White (Lib Dem) confirming the rumour.

Fiona sent a letter to The Dragon that was published on January 28, that gave further details and has so far received seven comments.

A Facebook page for members of the Wood Street Village community has been encouraging people to sign the petition and by Sunday evening (January 31) the petition had been signed by 167 people.

In an email to The Dragon on Sunday evening, Stephen Jones thanked us for our coverage adding that details of the petiton would soon be added to the Wood Street Village website.

The Guildford Dragon NEWS understands that a number of children from Wood Street Village use the No.17 to travel to and from Guildford Grove School and Kings College in Park Barn.

It is believed that Arriva is withdrawing the No. 17 route due to what it regards as very low passenger numbers and is therefore not profitable.

Commenting this morning (February 1) on the first letter, Cllr Fiona White wrote: “To be fair on Surrey County Council, it was not their decision to cut this service. They were told by Arriva that the service is to be cut.

“There are difficulties for children getting to Guildford Grove School and Kings College.

“Another problem is that it will be difficult for people to get to the Park Barn Centre. I have heard of at least one volunteer at the centre who is going to be affected.

“I am discussing the possibilities of finding a replacement service with officers at Surrey and hope that we can find some way to make sure that Wood Street has a service in future.”

Responses to Petition Is Quickly Set Up Over Proposed Axing Of Arriva’s No.17 Bus Route

Eddie Ward Reply

February 5, 2016 at 9:09 pm

I travelled on Stagecoach route 65 from Guildford to Alton via Farnham yesterday (February 4).

As I boarded, I was handed a survey form from Alton Town Council to save this route downgrading or closure as well.

To be honest, I do not know how much of the route is threatened, but it must a worry to the many residents on the route, as there is no alternative for them.

My question, is what really happens to the money that the government say they are passing to local councils, to keep these services running?