Julian Knight has said that a local bus operator is “failing Solihull” in a special Parliamentary debate on local services.
He was moved to act after Diamond only responded to one of more than ten letters Julian wrote to them about recent changes to one of their routes, the S11, which have caused great concern to local residents.
Residents have also told Julian that they had difficulty engaging with the company’s consultation on the changes due to when it was conducted.
Andrew Jones, the buses minister, said that Diamond’s behaviour was unacceptable and promised that he would write to their parent company and make sure they showed proper respect for local concerns.
He also praised Julian as “a vigorous champion for his area in general and buses in particular”.
In response to the news, Julian Knight said:
“Local bus services are the lifeline of our community, and they’re especially important for elderly and less-mobile residents who have few other ways of getting around. A better connected community helps not only individual residents but also the hundreds of business and social clubs that depend on them.
“Shortening the S11 cuts off several residential areas such as Hampton Lane, School Lane, and Grove Road. By ignoring my attempts to get in touch, and seemingly making it difficult for residents to register concerns, they are showing blatant disregards for the needs of their passengers and letting down our town. I’m not going to let them get away with it.
“My team and I will continue to help residents make their voices heard, and I look forward to working with the minister to make sure Diamond have to listen.”
Speaking during the debate, Andrew Jones said:
“My honourable friend detailed how he has communicated with his local bus company, Diamond, but not had the response he desired. Well I do not think that is acceptable.
“As somebody who has built a reputation here as a vigorous champion for his area in general and buses in particular I think it is more than fair to say that he should be adequately responded to by important local providers.”
“So I suggest that I write to their parent company, National Express, to detail that we have discussed this issue here in the House, have regretted the level of engagement on a local basis, and ask them to sort it out.”