A petition has been launched to save an under threat countryside bus service in Macclesfield.

On Thursday last week, sweeping cuts were announced for Cheshire East buses.

One which escaped the axe but suffered severe cuts was the rural number 14 bus from Macclesfield Bus Station through Lyme Green, Sutton and Langley.

Despite the service being used regularly by Macclesfield elders without a car and climate-emission conscious locals, the nationwide driver shortage has played its part in its demise.

According to our borough council, the High Peak buses Macclesfield to Langley service was slashed "due to driver shortages service 14 will be operating to a reduced timetable from Sunday 24 October 2021".

Macclesfield resident Trevor Priestman (39) has started a Change.org petition to cause a u-turn on these cuts, which currently has 45 signatures.

His petition reads: "We the undersigned are opposed to the temporary suspension of bus services to and from Lyme Green, Sutton and Langley villages both before 10am and after 3pm.

"This service is a vital transport link for many residents to attend their workplace, school, Town Centre and key healthcare appointments.

"We call on High Peak Buses and Cheshire East Council to:

"1: Immediately reinstate the full bus timetable to Sutton and Langley

"2: If this is not currently possible, to find a reduced workable solution that provides a bus service, between the hours of 7am and 6pm, in line with the needs of the villagers and subsequently a firm commitment that the cut services will return in full, within due course of driver issues being resolved."

To help save the public transport route, the local Sutton Shop and The St Dunstan in Langley have agreed to display a paper version of the petition too.

A woman stated "I'm signing this because elderly people reply on this service if they can't drive.

"This may be their only contact with other people, connecting with friends in a cafe or just talking to someone in a shop. It is a lifeline to the outside world."

One man who signed the petition called the cuts "a disgrace".

Mr Priestman added: "With the nights drawing in and our villages having limited street lights does High Peak Buses and Cheshire East think it is acceptable to make local residents, many elderly, walk along dark streets to return home from their healthcare appointments? Clearly they do!"

Both organisations have been contacted for comment.

High Peak Buses said: "There is a national shortage of qualified bus drivers at this time and most if not all operators are adjusting services.

"These are temporary adjustments whilst we attempt to reinforce our driving team."

It is unknown how long these measures will last for.

You can sign the petition here.

But the reduced Langley service may have had a lucky escape.

As of November 14, other Macclesfield buses which will be removed completely include the 2, 2A Arriva Macclesfield to the Weston Estate, and 21, 21A Arriva Macclesfield - Hurdsfield.

North West bus enthusiast William Connolly said: "Cheshire East has long suffered from poor bus services."

"It is a challenge commercially due to the population density in the borough but the council just doesn't seem to want to tender adequate services for communities."

There was also a recent announcement of a reduction of service for eight other buses, for which you can read more on the changes here.

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