Councillor concerned over Stagecoach temporarily closing Peterborough bus route for day

The bus route through Manor Drive, in Gunthorpe, was stopped for one day due to concerns over the road.

A Peterborough City Councillor has raised concerns over the future of a bus route, after it was temporarily suspended.

Peterborough deputy mayor, councillor Nick Sandford, discovered Stagecoach temporarily cancelled all buses on the Manor Drive estate on November 7 because of suspected ongoing issues with parked cars and potholes.

After engineers assessed the route for obstructions it was reinstated on 8 November.

‘Investigating’

Darren Roe, managing director for Stagecoach East, said: “We are continuing to serve the Manor Drive estate in Peterborough for the time being, however we are aware of an issue with the road which may temporarily impact our ability to operate on this route.

“We are currently investigating this with the local council, as a matter of urgency, and will keep our customers updated.”

The news came hours after councillor Nick Sandford (Liberal Democrats, Paston and Walton) met with Stagecoach bosses at Peterborough Town Hall

after senior managers at Stagecoach East confirmed they were looking into ways to improve that route.

On 31 October, councillor Sandra Bond and Nick Sandford said they ‘tested’ the new service provided by the bus operator, after 18 services were axed and five were reduced significantly, and found them ‘not fit for purpose'.

Senior managers then gave the pair assurances to they would improve the services in Peterborough, after further complaints of cancellations and driver shortages.

Councillor Sandford added: “Councillor Sandra Bond (Liberal Democrat, Gunthorpe) contacted me on 7 November to say that she had received disturbing news, via the council grapevine, that Stagecoach cancelled all their services to the Manor Drive estate citing problems with parked cars and potholes.”

Peterborough City Council said it’s working with Stagecoach to try and find a solution and “will provide further updates soon”.

Martin Marsh, operations manager for Stagecoach’s Peterborough Depot said: “We did suspend our service in Manor Drive on November 7 for the afternoon, following a conversation between myself and the technical director overseeing the Manor Drive development, I suspended the service awaiting further advice from our Senior Leadership Team. "

Bosses have now confirmed that service has resumed.

Councillors will be joined by Martin Marsh for a walkthrough in Manor Drive this month to identify if there any further issues.