Arriva North West Bus set to close Macclesfield depot

Arriva bus services in Macclesfield could be axed as the company announced plans to close two depots.

Arriva bus services in Macclesfield could be axed as the company announced plans to close two depots.
The firm is consulting staff about closing its Macclesfield and Winsford depots meanings there would be no Arriva buses in Macclesfield, Crewe, Northwich or Winsford
It said it was a “last resort” but blamed falling passenger numbers combined with increased costs.
Mike Amesbury MP said loss of the services was “unacceptable”.
The Weaver Vale representative has launched a petition along with Cheshire West council leader Louise Gittins to stop the plans, which has been signed by more than 1,000 people.
“People are angry and quite distraught because this is about getting from A to B, whether that is work or school or leisure,” Mr Amesbury said.
“It will undoubtedly affect productivity in our part of Cheshire.”
He said councillors and MPs were given no advance notice of the proposals and had asked for an urgent meeting with Arriva to discuss alternatives.
One resident from Shavington, told BBC Radio Stoke it was “going to be impossible” for people who rely on buses to get to Leighton Hospital if the service is axed.
An Arriva North West Bus spokesman said the decisions had been taken “with great regret” and closing depots was “always a very last resort”.
He added: “This very difficult decision has been taken following exhaustive steps to turn around the loss-making services.
“But with consistently too few customers to cover the increased cost of running services it is sadly necessary to launch a consultation with affected employees on closing the depots.”
The firm said if the depots were closed it would work with the council to see if routes could be taken over by new operators.

If Arriva North West proceeds with its plans to close the depot at Macclesfield, the following local services could be cut as a result:

• 3 – Macclesfield – Weston
• 4 – Macclesfield – Upton Priory
• 5 and 6 – Macclesfield – Broken Cross
• 9 – Macclesfield – Moss Rose
• 10 – Macclesfield – Bollington
• 38 – Crewe – Macclesfield