First Minister pressed on Flintshire bus cuts
Concerns over the future of Flintshire’s bus services were raised in the Senedd this week by North Wales MS Mark Isherwood, who pressed the first minister for clarity on plans to address potential cuts.
During the debate, Mr Isherwood warned that several Flintshire services were at risk due to a combination of reduced Welsh Government funding and rising operational costs. He asked what steps were being taken to safeguard routes and ensure a reliable transport network in the county.
“Concerns were expressed as recently as October about cuts to several bus services in Flintshire due to a reduction in Welsh Government funding and rising costs,” said Mr Isherwood.
He also sought an update on Transport for Wales’ planned collaboration with Flintshire County Council to improve services across the county in 2024 as part of the Welsh Government’s ‘Road Map to Bus Reform’.
first minister Eluned Morgan acknowledged the challenges, stating: “We all recognise that the situation in relation to bus services in Wales is not where it should be, and that is partly because of the model that we have.”
She emphasised the importance of working with Flintshire County Council to reflect public needs and avoid prioritising only the most profitable routes.
However, concerns about immediate service reductions remain.
Last week, it was revealed that a significant £270,000 saving will be achieved by shortening the Mold–Ellesmere Port number five service from January 26.
The revised route will terminate at Deeside Industrial Park, cutting out a 10.5-mile stretch over the border into Cheshire. This section includes stops at Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port Bus Interchange, and other locations.
Katie Wilby, Flintshire County Council’s chief officer for Streetscene and Transportation, said: “Based on the reduced number of vehicles required to operate the service and reduced mileage, it is anticipated that the changes will mitigate a budget pressure of £270,000 in 2025/2026.”
She added that the revised service would operate with one bus instead of two, integrating with the Deeside Shuttle bus to provide connections to the Deeside Industrial Park for employment access.
While the changes are intended to address budget pressures, they highlight the broader strain on bus services in the region, leaving some residents concerned about the impact on cross-border connectivity.
The Welsh Government’s ‘Road Map to Bus Reform’ aims to introduce franchising for better coordination of services, but immediate challenges, including funding shortfalls and service reductions, continue to put pressure on Flintshire’s transport network.
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