Bus service pulled in part amidst safety fears

A key bus route has been re-drawn because vandals kept getting their kicks by throwing missiles at the oncoming vehicles.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th Feb 2021, 09:18 BST
The windscreen was smashedThe windscreen was smashed
The windscreen was smashed

An incident involving the Bellshill-bound 209 service which took place on the evening of Monday, January 25 in North Motherwell proved to be the last straw after a windscreen was partially shattered in what was the latest in a series of incidents.

Thankfully there were no injuries nor did the bus collide with another vehicle, but regulatory group Strathclyde Passenger Transport said that it was left with no option but to take decisive action.

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A spokesperson said: “This service will now terminate on Ladywell Road and will no longer serve The Loaning, North of Ladywell Street, Logans Road, Chesters Crescent and Watling Street.

"This decision was not taken lightly but is best to protect the staff and passengers for the time being.

"This will leave passengers with a 1.08-mile walk from the last stop on Ladywell Road to service 209’s original terminal on Watling Street. The walk will be longer for those living north of Watling Street."

A police spokesperson said: “This is a devastating blow for the community. Lanarkshire police prioritise keeping people safe and your local officers will continue to work with SPT partners to try and rectify this situation.

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“If you'd like to provide any information regarding these incidents you can contact 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is anonymous.”

Meanwhile the partial withdrawal has sparked fury in the community.

North Motherwell community activist Scott Symington said: “These are serious and dangerous actions that could have caused a nasty accident. The people who are doing this should take a good look at themselves. People who depended on this bus service are now left without a lifeline for getting up to the town. Hopefully now the Police can find those responsible and charge them.”

Meanwhile Councillor Paul Kelly said he was “appalled” and added: “The actions of a small minority are punishing the majority of the community, some who will now need to walk over a mile to get home.

“I have asked for a meeting with SPT and the Police to discuss how we work to get this bus route reinstated safely.”