As I mentioned in my last posting here, a meeting was held in the Council House on Friday evening between senior managers from National Express West Midlands, Centro, Councillors from Acocks Green, Hall Green, South Yardley and Springfield and John Hemming, MP for Yardley. The purpose of the meeting was discuss the changes to the bus routes (in force as of yesterday) I have previously blogged about, which affect the south east of the City.

There was an understanding and acceptance from both National Express and Centro that the way these changes have been brought in was poor with a failure to hold any consultation about them. There was a promise that meaningful consultation would be carried out, for any future such proposed changes. This will involve locally elected members and other key groups having the chance to have their say, before any final decisions are taken.

There was also an acceptance that these particular changes will cause problems for specific geographic areas and groups of residents, in particular those visiting the Hall Green Health Centre (many of whom will now have to change buses). Oaklands School has lost its service and some other local schools will also suffer a significantly poorer service. Councillor Iain Bowen put forward a very interesting suggestion that most of these issues could be dealt with by running a circular service from Acocks Green Village, down Dolphin Lane, Shirley Road, School Road, up Stratford Road, Shaftmoor Lane and back to Acocks Green. This would need to run during the times people visit the Health Clinic or go to the local Schools.

Centro and National Express made no promises, however they did agree to look again at the changes, particularly in light of how they work in practice in coming weeks. So the door does remain open on the issue, which is probably the best we were likely to get as an immediate outcome from the meeting.

We agreed that, as the changes have most impact on Acocks Green and Hall Green, further discussions with Centro and National Express would be led, from the group of Councillors, by Councillors Iain Bowen (for Acocks Green) and Paula Smith (for Hall Green). Cllr Bowen keeps in touch with this blog, so if you wish to post comments here he will see them. Please do let us know how the new services work in practice (both good and bad aspects) so that we can feedback to National Express and Centro and keep the pressure on for an improved package of services.