RESIDENTS in a popular residential area in Carlisle have spoken out about the hardship they are now facing as a result of the updated bus network changes.

Residents living on Orton Road are feeling left-behind as the bus route was axed, meaning those living at the address would now have to walk to Queensway or Crosshill Drive bus stops - equating to roughly a five minute walk.

But for some residents, such as Alan Stephenson, who suffers from severe disabilities, it's just not possible.

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"They're just cutting us off, I cannot get the bus at all as I cannot walk.

"I have to get a taxi to the hospital weekly and back which costs £12 a return trip. Which I can't afford, but I've got to be able to afford it to get to the hospital for appointments.

"It's getting ridiculous and its about time someone did something about it - do I need a bus pass? No, I need a taxi pass," he said.

The bus cancellation also means that Alan can no longer do a food shop in the city centre and if it wasn't for his family being able to take him for a 'big shop' at the weekend, he would be forced to do his weekly shopping at the nearby convenience store.

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Similarly, Mike MacDonald, 74, who lives on the road and looks after his ill-health wife, has also been affected. 

"Now when my wife needs to go to the hospital, they'll need to sort transport for her because she can't get to a bus stop. 

"A bus is required on Orton Road I'll be totally honest, especially considering the average age of the residents on the street. 

"If the buses were running better and for us, I would be on the bus more," he said. 

A spokesperson for Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire said: "We are sorry to hear of the challenges being faced by two local residents.

"The new network reflects the new travel patterns we have seen coming out of the pandemic, and current levels of passenger demand.

"It is also designed to ensure there is a sustainable network for the long-term against a backdrop of rising costs and labour challenges across the UK economy.

"We remain absolutely committed to working with our local authority partners, as well as other stakeholders, to deliver the best bus networks we can for local communities."

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