Protestors gather outside Padstow Town Council against bus station closure
The Town Council has withdrawn permission for buses to use the station due to "safety concerns"
Last updated 18th Oct 2024
Protesters have gathered outside Padstow Town Council to urge them to reconsider closing the bus station.
Bus union, RMT, organised the protest with local people on Friday, October 18, 2024, opposing the upcoming closure.
The Town Council has withdrawn permission for buses to use the station due to safety concerns, which has prompted a response from the union.
Barry West, regional organiser at the RMT, emphasised the negative impact of the station closure on local residents, especially the elderly and disabled and has urged the Council to engage in productive discussions on the matter.
He told us: "I met a lady who has had several strokes, just got her first bus pass and she was looking forward to going to places like Tintagel, Wadebridge and possibly the hospital.
"She said all of a sudden the freedom she had has been taken away."
Richard Stephens, managing director of Go Cornwall Bus, said: "We've had to make alternative arrangements, they're really unsatisfactory. The nearest we can get is many thousand yards up a very very steep hill without decent walking facilities. This is not a minor issue, this isn't a small relocation of a bus stop. This is going to make Padstow a not-stop for buses."
A spokesperson from Cornwall Council said: "“With around 500 people per week using the Railway Car Park stop during the traditionally ‘quieter period’ between October and March and more than 2,500 during the summer, it is incredibly disappointing that Padstow Town Council have taken this decision.
“Given the geography of the town and steep hills surrounding the centre, as well as limited public parking, this decision will have a particular impact on those with limited mobility and people with young children.
“Services 11 and 56 operate from the car park all year round with two buses serving the stop hourly during the winter offering connections to rail at Bodmin Parkway, Newquay Airport and other onward connections to Truro and St Austell.
“Buses can only access the stop – and the stop on School Hill - by driving around the car park and we have been working to address the town council’s concerns for the last 18 months. As a result, we removed school and college services from the area to reduce the number of vehicle movements.
“We have offered to facilitate discussions between the town council and Go Cornwall Bus to further address concerns. This offer was declined.
“We have also asked for space previously delegated to bus parking to be reinstated and have offered to fund the installation of the necessary signs and lineage. However, this request does not appear to have been considered by the town council.
“Buses will continue to serve the car park stop until Saturday 16 November and the town council has advised it will remove the bus shelter shortly after. We will then remove the electronic passenger information signs and associated infrastructure from the car park and School Hill stops. This will be at significant cost to Cornwall Council.
“Should the town council wish to reconsider their decision before then we will be happy to discuss further.”
We have contacted Padstow Town Council for their response.