PLANNED changes to a bus service will make students late for school, Tatton MP Esther McVey has warned.

Ms McVey said many people did not know about the consultation regarding the number 88 bus, which would reduce the Knutsford to Wilmslow to Altrincham service to hourly from half-hourly.

She said: “I have spoken to concerned parents about how changing the bus timetable will mean their children cannot get to school on time and will have to wait an extra half hour in the evenings, which in particularly concerning during the dark winter months.

“The first bus of the day would make the students late for school, and we simply cannot allow that to happen.

"The consultation for the 88 route closed at the end of July, but my advice would be keep writing and tweeting and make sure the council understand the strength of feeling about this."

She said residents were also concerned over proposals to stop Sunday services on the 130 Macclesfield to Manchester route and the 200 Wilmslow to Manchester Airport, which would mean no service between Wilmslow and Handforth.  

Ms McVey added: “I met with Cynthia Samson, chairman of Handforth Parish Council and local campaigner Julie Smith to talk about the lack of buses in the area.

"The ending of the 378 Stockport to Wilmslow service and the stopping the Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday service would isolate the elderly, stop people getting to church and Macclesfield Hospital and people are concerned about how local trade will be affected.

"There are concerns it will lead to more cars on the already congested roads. This will really impact our elderly who cannot drive anymore and will take away their independence.”

She said older people in the villages around Knutsford feared they would be cut off from urban centres with proposals for the 289.

A High Legh resident who contacted Ms McVey said given the high rates of council tax paid they feel a bus should be provided and they not be penalised for not being able to drive anymore.

Ms McVey said: “The bus consultation ended July 26, however, having met with Cheshire East this week, they informed me they were still accepting letters and comments from residents and listening to their concerns.

"So my advice is keep writing, keep expressing your views and make sure we keep our buses. We are looking at huge housing expansions across the area - we need our public transport.”