A campaign for improved bus services in Whittlesey is gathering momentum.

Since the demise of Judd’s Transport, residents have become increasingly concerned by the lack of buses running, town councillor David Mason says.

In a letter to Cambridgeshire County Council, he says he has received 17 letters, 29 e-mails and signed petitions totalling 49 residents about bus services in the town.

The consensus, he says, is Stagecoach is offering a timetable which is “insufficient” to the needs of residents.

As a solution, he proposes the county council put out to tender a bus service to replace the service provided by Judd’s Transport.

Cllr Mason said: “The general consensus of opinion is following the withdrawal of Judd’s Transport a monopoly situation has developed in favour of Stagecoach resulting in a number of comments and complaints.

“The present timetable offered by Stagecoach is insufficient to meet the needs of residents both now and in the immediate future taking into consideration that over 1,000 new homes have been passed by planning authorities in the Whittlesey area.

“Key areas of Whittlesey such as New Road and Drybread Road are no longer being serviced to the detriment of older residents and young families.

“Employment possibilities in Peterborough are being reduced by the lack of bus transport after 6.40pm

“The Whittlesea railway station at the present time is not fit for purpose as an alternative means of transport particularly with its situation to the south of the town.

“The frequency of buses has suffered without an alternative supplier and there is evidence of increased overcrowding on buses at peak times.

“I would therefore respectfully request a working party to be set up to consider alternative methods of servicing the public in the immediate area.”