Chorleywood Bus Club – as Barry Oliver and his bus buddies call themselves, are now The Disbanded Bus Club. The much loved R4 bus is no more and Barry is missing his regular trips to Chorleywood shops from his home in Hurstleigh, Shire Lane.
The R4’s route took passengers from Chorleywood to Ricky and Watford twice a day and had been the lifeline for many, especially since the 336 flood disruptions.
Herts County Council’s decision to reduce the service makes complete financial sense but is making life trickier and more lonely for some.
The time between outward and return of the replacement service, the R1/R2, is too long say users.
Barry is one of several residents who live at ‘top’ Chorleywood – up the hills, in the Swillett and in Heronsgate who rely on the bus,
“The R4 gave us just enough time to do our shopping, go to the post office or library, pick up a prescription, have a cup of tea and come home. Now it’s too long to wait for the bus back – the hill is too steep to carry bags and a taxi too expensive.”
Hurstleigh resident Derek Lightbody wrote to Guy Brigden, Transport Network Planning Team Leader at Herts County Council in July, to explain how important the service was and request a grant towards the provision of a minibus to replace the R4.
Mr Brigden replied..
“ I am sorry that we are not able to continue with the present frequency but while the R4 was designed to meet a large range of need, actual usage is poor and the cost per passenger journey to the council is unacceptably high as a result, Certainly our checks and feedback from the operator have not revealed a significant demand for local travel within Chorleywood, indeed when we last surveyed the journey due at 1122 from Shire Lane to Lower Road it would appear to be the most likely one for you to be using for access to the shops, there were no passengers to, from or within Chorleywood at all.
I regret that our vehicle funding for the financial year is fully committed.”
Mr Brigden went on to suggest that those affected should contact Chorleywood Care who offer transport to and from hospital and doctors’ appointments – a voluntary service generally provided by retired residents that is already stretched. He added that they were unable to provide financial help.
The R4 wasn’t just about getting from A to B. It had become a social institution. The driver Neil is a legend.
“Neil knows us all by name and looked out for us” says Barry, “ When I hadn’t been on the bus for a while he came after work to check on me. When Pat had a funny turn on the bus he made sure she was OK. “
The change in service means that Barry, Derek and many others now can’t get out as much as they did – Barry’s trips to the village have reduced from once a day to once a week or less.
“ We could get down to the shops and back by 10.30am on the R4.” says Barry, “Mr Brigden travelled on a much later bus when he came to assess the usage which is why he didn’t see us. The reduction of the service has affected a group of us. I would have a cup of tea outside Rootz and chat to lots of people every day. I can’t shop often now as I can’t carry the shopping up the hill although . Derek can’s walk up or down Shire Lane, he did get the R2 down, but it didnt arrive for the return journey and he had to get a cab.”
“We really miss the daily company and our wonderful driver Neil” adds Dorothy Harrison, “We would do anything to get our R4 bus back.”
To help get the R4 reviewed write to
Guy Brigden, County Hall, Ground Floor, North West Block, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8DN
guy.brigden@hertfordshire.gov.uk
