RESIDENTS concerned about the loss of bus services in Knutsford are being urged to have their say at The Welcome Café this month.

The community hub is hosting a drop-in session being organised by Knutsford deputy mayor Cllr Andrew Malloy.

Cllr Malloy represents the Over ward on Knutsford Town Council, and has received numerous complaints from residents in his ward in recent months over changes to local bus services.

To gauge the extent of the concern and to record people’s views with a view to presenting them to Cheshire East Council he decided to organise a drop-in session.

It will take place at The Welcome Café on Longridge on Saturday, July 21, from 10am, and will offer the opportunity for people to explain the impact of bus cuts and changes on their lives.

Forms will be available for residents to complete to record their views.

“I have teamed up with The Welcome Cafe to gather stories of people's hardship issues caused by the loss of bus services in Knutsford,” said Cllr Malloy.

“My focus will be on my ward of Over ward of course, but I would encourage anyone with bus-related problems, to come to the session or to write to me and The Welcome with their stories.

“I am particularly interested in anyone suffering hardship as a result of bus services changes.

“This may be not being able to get to work, not getting to medical or dental appointments - it could also simply be not being able to shop, access cash points and socialise with friends and family.”

He said a significant number of people in his ward needed to use buses for a variety of reasons.

Cllr Malloy said the views expressed by people at the session would be collated with a view to them being passed to Cheshire East councillors and in turn Cheshire East Council in a bid to see improvements to bus services in the town.

Cllr Malloy is hoping other ward councillors will attend the session, and residents from other wards were welcome to come along.

A form is due to be produced to be available at The Welcome for those unable to attend the session but who wish to express their concerns.