Petition for the Resumption of the Direct Bus Service from Pen-y-ffordd to Chester

As many of you know, the direct Arriva bus service to Chester was withdrawn in November 2019. Since then, Flintshire County Council has provided a minibus service under Flexi, but this has now been reduced and has only served a small number of people due to issues that cannot be resolved.

Peter Griffiths, the late David Walker, and I have had numerous meetings with Arriva, and we have communicated with Transport for Wales and our elected representatives since the service was lost. We continue to push for a proper replacement service.

Our next step is to present a petition from the village to service providers, Flintshire County Council, and our elected representatives. This petition is available online through local social media and approved websites, but for those who do not use these platforms, paper copies are available for signing. Completed forms can be left in collection boxes at the Spar, Co-Op, Chemist, and other local points.

Please help by sharing this petition widely, signing it, and encouraging others to do the same. Every signature strengthens our case to bring this vital service back.

 
Petition Text:

We, the undersigned, request that Arriva Bus Company, Transport for Wales, Flintshire County Council, and our local elected representatives (Ken Skates AM, Carolyn Thomas AM, Sam Rowlands AM, Mark Isherwood AM) take positive and measurable action to restore the direct bus service from Pen-y-ffordd to Chester and improve public transport both into and out of the village.

The village of Pen-y-ffordd has over 5,000 residents, and aside from a reasonable train service, there is no viable public transport option. The direct bus service was withdrawn in November 2019 on the claim that it was not profitable. Confidential data provided later indicated that passenger numbers from Pen-y-ffordd were higher than any other village or town on that route. Since then, the village population has grown by nearly 1,000 residents, increasing the need for a direct service.

The lack of public transport has significant consequences:

💠Elderly residents feel isolated.
💠Young people and others struggle to access employment or education.
💠Limited transport reduces shopping and social opportunities.
💠Residents are forced to use private vehicles, harming the environment.
💠No link exists to main service centres.
 
Data Protection:
By signing this petition, you agree to provide your information solely for the purpose of supporting this petition. Your personal details will not be used for any other purpose, shared with third parties, or stored beyond what is necessary to submit and present this petition.

Deadline for Completion:
Friday 27 March 2026

Further information from David Williams: 

Email: dwillderw@yahoo.co.uk

Tel: (01978) 762486 or 07928 493 862