The public has reacted with shock to six local bus services being cut by operator Arriva.

Late last night, the bus company confirmed the removal of depots and roots, citing financial challenges since the pandemic as reasons.

Now, Macclesfield Nub News readers and voices from the town have responded to the news.

One female Nub News reader said: "Buses are needed by older and less able passengers. We need more services not less."

An Arriva bus leaves Macclesfield Bus Station and heads down to Mill Street. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

Another featured that Bollington would be left isolated from the Macclesfield community: "If you close the No.10 Macclesfield to Bollington bus service this will affect hundreds of elderly, poor and vulnerable residents who don't have cars," she said.

"It will cut off Bollington completely from Macclesfield. Please don't do this."

One eagle-eyed Greenside resident said "So they cut the gritting in our estate (St Austell Avenue) anticipating the service cancellation on Upton Priory Broken Cross, good forward thinking."

North west bus enthusiast William Connolly said on Twitter to Macclesfield Nub News "A shock announcement, but not that surprising."

Join in the conversation on our social media. Click the red links at the bottom of the article. (Image - Alexander Greensmith / Macclesfield Nub News)

"Bus networks are under increased pressure post-pandemic and in Cheshire, patronage has struggled to recover.

"And unwilling councils have not helped. Priorities car parks over bus stations and lack of bus priority is the wrong direction."

In relation to that reasoning, in 2021 it was revealed that Cheshire East was in the bottom ten areas for bus usage.

However, the planned cuts have still come as a shock to many.

Arriva in Crewe.

Among the 13 routes that would no longer operate, the Macclesfield ones are as follows:

38 Crewe - Macclesfield

3 Macclesfield - Weston

4 Macclesfield - Upton Priory

5 & 6 Macclesfield - Broken Cross

9 Macclesfield - Moss Rose

10 Macclesfield - Bollington

Macclesfield MP David Rutley has been contacted for comment.

As have Cheshire East Council, their Active Travel champion, Macclesfield's Mayor, and eco groups across Macclesfield.

Meanwhile, in Crewe, a Nub News reader was a bit more optimistic with a more measured take.

"We had buses long before Arriva came along and there will be other companies wanting to take the routes."

Another tweeter said: "The disruption last year with strikes regarding pay, which was supported by members of the public.

"Now they want to cancel routes. I thought catching public transport was encouraged. It's the vulnerable members of the community that will suffer, hope the cancellations are worth it."

Macclesfield: Read more about the bus services being slashed HERE.

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