As residents of Whitwick, Leicestershire, we have been deeply affected by the recent rerouting of bus services 16, 29 and 29A. The decision by Arriva to change these routes has caused considerable hardship for us all. We now find ourselves having to walk long distances in often poor weather conditions just to access public transportation. This is not just an inconvenience; it's a significant disruption that affects our daily lives.

Our community is diverse - we are people of all ages, individuals with disabilities, mothers with toddlers and school children. Each one of us relies on these bus services for different reasons - be it going to work or school or simply carrying out essential daily tasks like shopping or visiting the doctor.

The original route through Market Place and North Street was not just a convenience but a necessity for many among us who cannot afford other means of transport or are physically unable to make the long walk necessitated by the new routes.

We understand that changes in public services are sometimes necessary due to various factors such as budget constraints or efforts towards efficiency. However, we believe that such decisions should never be made at the expense of those who rely most heavily on these services.

We therefore call upon Arriva and relevant local authorities in Leicestershire County Council to reconsider this decision and reinstate bus services 16, 29 and 29A back onto their original route through Whitwick village centre.

Please sign this petition if you stand with us in our request for fairer access to public transportation in our community.