Frustration as bus service removed from 'isolated' housing estate in Peterborough

A Peterborough City Councillor has said she is doing all she can to help residents after a bus route serving a housing estate in Peterborough was withdrawn.

People living in the Manor Drive estate now have no access to public transport, after the short lived service was withdrawn.

The service ran for a short time earlier in the autumn, but after a series of incidents – including when a bus nearly crashed into a home – the route was pulled following a request from developer Keepmoat.

Councillor Sandra Bond, who represents the Gunthorpe ward where the state is located, said she was frustrated after a ‘stalemate’ between Keepmoat and Peterborough City Council.

Cllr Bond said: “It is so frustrating. Keepmoat are saying they want the roads adopted by the city council, but the council are saying improvements need to be made, and neither side is moving.

"There are potholes in the roads, the signage is poor, and there is bad street lighting. I know there were times when buses went down the wrong street as a result.

"The residents have been living here for more than 10 years. They were excited they were getting a bus service, but now it is just frustration. They are good residents and we are trying to do all we can for them.

"There are no amenities in the estate – the residents feel like they are isolated."

A spokesperson for Keepmoat said: “We are keen to ensure that public transport is the very best it can be for the people who live in the communities we are creating. Due to ongoing works, and delays with the road adoption process, to ensure the safety of local residents, we have requested a temporary suspension of a new public transport route whilst necessary measures are completed. We have been in dialogue with Stagecoach and local councillors to ensure this is a short-term delay whilst we strive to create a new, safe community, with public transport available to benefit the whole community.”

A Peterborough City Council spokesperson, said: "We are in discussions with the Developer with the aim of getting this service up and running again as quickly as possible."

The Peterborough Telegraph has contacted Stagecoach for comment.

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