Local businesses outside of Ross-on-Wye have been affected by cuts to the local bus service. A member of staff from a Peterstow pub, the Yew Tree, told the Gazette that as later services have been axed, there have been noticeable differences to trade.

Albert, who works at the Yew Tree, said:?“We’re a small enough pub that I know most of our regulars, and as a pub situated out of town, the bus is the strongest transport option for them. The lack of the late bus prevents them staying past 8.30pm, especially individuals for whom a £10+ taxi into Ross is too much.”

He added:?“I understand the council is committed to (in their own words) ‘meeting the austerity challenge’, and that the late buses are not a massively high priority. However, I am frustrated to see the cut because it goes against the council’s proclaimed priorities of giving residents independence, growing the economy and securing better services.

“I would have liked to see the late buses at least kept on Friday and Saturday, but maybe that wasn’t viable for some reason I’m not aware of.”

Albert added that he was pleased that Jordan Creed, a man from Ross-on-Wye, is currently campaigning to Herefordshire Council to prevent any further bus cuts. “I’ve signed his petition but haven’t spoken to him,” Albert said.

He added that it was nice to see that a Ross Town Councillor, Daniel Lister, was backing Jordan’s campaign, by being solely reliant on the bus service for a month.

Janet Baily, a Ross-on-Wye resident has also been affected by the bus cuts. She said in the past, she had the option of travelling to Hereford in the evenings, to enjoy the entertainment the city could provide. On the Ross Gazette’s Facebook page, she commented:?“This week, all the later evening buses to and from Hereford have gone, giving no chance to visit The Courtyard or Odeon for a special film show only available there.”