A COUNCIL decision to axe a popular bus service next month has been branded a ‘total disgrace’ that adds to Winsford’s already inadequate public transport provision.

Cheshire West and Chester Council withdraw subsidies to GHA Coaches’ X22 service from March 29, despite it needing a double decker to accommodate passenger numbers.

The loss of the Liverpool via Northwich route has left commuters feeling abandoned, while furious councillors have accusing borough chiefs of transport policies that threaten to turn Winsford into a ‘prison camp’.

The Council argue that they need to make £300,000 savings in three years and other routes take priority.

Regular X22 user, Cindy Bayers, said the move didn’t appreciate historic links between Winsford and Liverpool that see hundreds of people make the trip to see families each weekend.

“There are a lot of people that are going in to see their family,” said the 70-year-old Over resident.

“We’ve had this service 35 years since the overspill started from Liverpool to Winsford in the 1960s.

“One lady goes in to see her brothers. One is blind and the other is in a wheelchair. How’s she going to get there now?”

She added: “The bus service generally in Winsford is absolutely awful. It’s like Winsford doesn’t exist to the council. Good grief, we want to get out. We don’t want to be sitting in, looking at our four walls.”

Town councillor, Charlie Parkinson, added: “If people can’t get this bus, it costs £5 in a taxi from Over to the station. Then they’ve got the cost of a return train ticket. People are not going to be able to leave.

“I think it’s a total disgrace. If you haven’t got a car; you’re screwed in Winsford. They’re turning Winsford into a prison camp.

“The busses to Chester are still running. They want people to go into Chester to spend money.”

A council spokesman said: “We’re looking at budgets at the moment and a reduction has to be made over the next three years to make £300,000 savings.

“This particular service is for social use on Saturdays, when our priorities are busses that allow people to access their jobs.”