The dangers facing a rural bus service, forced to used narrow country lanes by Staffordshire County Council was highlighted at last week's meeting of the Council's Development Services Scrutiny Committee.

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Barry Stamp asked if any consultation took place between officers in Council's Transportation and the Highways units before any new Council sponsored rural bus routes were brought into operation.

"I am appalled that the new Council sponsored bus service between Church Eaton and Bradley has been routed along Barton Lane, which can only be described as a single track road. To insist that the bus operator runs his service along this road is foolish and, I believe, a danger to both the bus users and other drivers. This road is unsuitable as a bus route. To make matters worse, the Highways Department has told me that Barton Lane is not included on the list of roads which are gritted in bad weather. During the recent cold spell the road was covered in compacted ice and snow which just made it even more dangerous. I am amazed that before the Council's Transportation Unit decides on a route for a new sponsored bus service that they do not consult with their Highway colleagues to see if the roads they intend to use are suitable. Barton Lane is very narrow and, in my opinion, totally unsuitable to be used by a regular bus service. However if the County Council insist on this route, the very least they could do is include the road on the list of those that are gritted during icy weather," said Councillor Stamp.

In reply, a representative from the Development Services Department said that he was not aware that any consultation between the two units took place, although he did agree that this might be useful to ensure safe routes were introduced.

"Following the meeting, I will now be writing to the Service Leader for Development Services asking him to confirm that, before future sponsored bus services are introduced, consultation will take place between all relevant units within the Development Services Department. I will also be asking for Barton Lane to be added to the list of roads gritted by the Council in bad weather," added Cllr Stamp