John Glen writes to Salisbury Reds as residents' concerns continue

Thursday, 13 October 2022 01:00

Salisbury’s MP John Glen has written to the Managing Director of Salisbury Reds to highlight ongoing concerns regarding the reduction of services and cancelled buses in recent months.

The local bus operators have come under fire from local business owners and residents who have created a community-help Facebook page to inform each other about cancelled or late Salisbury Reds buses. The group has 387 members.

Glen says it has been a challenging period for the local bus operators who have experienced driver shortages and a cyber-attack. However, more needs to be done to ensure people in Salisbury have a reliable service.

In his letter to Andrew Wickham, which John Glen shared on Twitter, he wrote:

“I am writing regarding bus services provided by Salisbury Reds. In recent months, a growing number of constituents across South Wiltshire have been in contact with me and Wiltshire Council regarding disruption to services provided by Salisbury Reds.

“I realise that your firm is operating in very challenging economic conditions as a result of a decline of passenger numbers due to the pandemic, driver shortages, as well as earlier this month, a cyber-attack on the company's IT systems.

“Despite all these difficulties, thousands of my constituents depend on your services to get to work, educational establishments, and medical appointments. It is therefore essential that you do everything possible to ensure that there is a reliable service to allow my constituents to go about their daily lives without significant disruption.

“I met with a constituent earlier this week who lives on Bemerton Heath and is dependent on the R1 service to get to important medical appointments at Salisbury District Hospital. He has experienced severe disruption on a number of occasions with buses not turning up, requiring him to leave for his appointments much earlier than he would normally, to ensure he gets to the hospital on time.

“I am fully cognisant of the multiple challenges that Salisbury Reds faces in providing bus services in the present climate. However, more must be done to ensure there is the provision of a working and viable public transport system in Salisbury. I would therefore welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue further at your earliest convenience.”

I have written to Salisbury Reds raising concerns regarding the reduction of services and cancelled buses in recent months. It has been challenging period with driver shortages and a cyber-attack but more needs to be done to ensure people in Salisbury have a reliable service. pic.twitter.com/SVskCp3Zm7
— John Glen MP (@JohnGlenUK) October 12, 2022

Salisbury Reds have been approached for comment. More to follow.

For the latest local news in Salisbury like Love Salisbury on Facebook or tune into Salisbury Radio on DAB or online.

More from Local News

Shops to stay open for 'Festive Shopping' evening

Shops will open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th, for an evening of festive shopping in Salisbury, the City of the Stars, this Christmas.
A step towards a safer community as Speedwatch group gets underway

Laverstock & Ford Parish Council saw their inaugural Community Speedwatch get underway this month after some initial setbacks.
Trainee teacher takes part in prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show in London to raise awareness of liver disease

A trainee teacher and marathon runner who is waiting for a liver transplant, was a special guest at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London last Saturday, representing the British Liver Trust, the UK’s leading liver health charity.
Residents encouraged to ‘Ask the Leader’ at event in Amesbury

Wiltshire Council is continuing to host its series of community events across the county where people can ask questions to find out more about the work of the council, with the Leader of the Council having visited 16 of Wiltshire’s 18 community areas so far.
Three men arrested in connection with van break-in series

Wiltshire Police have arrested three people in connection with an investigation into thefts from vans across the county, during which thousands of pounds worth of power tools have been stolen.
Wiltshire Council working hard to reduce overspend

Wiltshire Council has provided its second formal update of the 2024/25 financial year, which shows its previously forecasted overspending has reduced significantly.
Wiltshire's recycling collection to change from 2027

Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed its future approach to collecting recycling when its current contracts to carry out this service come to an end in 2026.
Salisbury based trains fitted with new anti-slip tech

A new initiative between Network Rail and South Western Railway has more than doubled the number of trains treating the railway and keeping the tracks leaf-free this Autumn.