Ashok today received a petition from Loftus Town Councillor Eric Jackson, highlighting local residents concerns about changes to Arriva bus services.

Ashok will now present it to Transport Minister Paul Clark and will continue to campaign for the reintroduction of these services.

The petition, signed by over 600 local people was organised by Loftus Town Council and signifies the real concern of all residents with the changes which come into effect on 1st June.

These changes will result in no Arriva services from Liverton Mines to Loftus Marketplace, an overall reduction of services from 4 to 2 an hour and the removal of the X56 express service into central Middlesbrough.

The decision by Arriva will particularly hurt residents who regularly commute into Middlesbrough for work, resulting in a real blow to the local economy.

Equally, local shopkeepers, including the popular Post Office, are concerned that the lack of access from Liverton Mines will seriously hurt their businesses. As with any reduction in public transport provision, it is the elderly and poorer constituents who are hit hardest.

Local councillor Eric Jackson said "I am appaled at the reduction in these services, as we were assured that when Loftus depot was closed earlier in the year, bus services in the Loftus area would remain. I feel seriously let down by the reversal of their strong public commitment to the people of Loftus and East Cleveland. I ask that Arriva take a further look at the situation as the strength of feeling is clearly evident here in this petition."