Town councillors have spoken out over fears that antisocial behaviour could return to Blackwood bus station because late-night warden patrols are being axed.
Town councillors Andrew Farina-Childs and Delwyn Davies are angry over plans by Caerphilly County Borough Council to scrap a £10,000 security contribution to Blackwood interchange – meaning an end to late night patrols by wardens.
The council is also considering axing subsidies for services on nine routes and reducing the frequency of a further four to save a total of £201,020.
The Welsh Government is cutting support for bus services in Wales by £8 million for 2013/14. Caerphilly County Borough Council is directly affected by a reduction of £127,000.
The two Blackwood councillors have handed a 250-name petition into Caerphilly County Borough Council to keep the evening warden patrols between Monday and Saturday.
Cllr Farina-Childs said: “I am appalled at the idea of losing security cover at the bus station as all parties involved have worked very diligently sorting out the situation in regard to antisocial behaviour. It would be a travesty to see local people afraid to use the bus station.”
A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesman said: “Levels of antisocial behaviour have decreased significantly following partnership intervention in the bus station area.
“This has been driven by a partnership approach including enhanced Community Safety Warden and Gwent Police patrols, effective use of the CCTV systems and intelligence sharing.
“We will not be decreasing our focus on the area and I am sure Gwent Police will confirm the same.”
Political posturing by Plaid Councillors in Blackwood it seems. Are they really appalled or are they just having a go at the Labour – run CCBC.
So the council are implementing cuts in excess of W.A.G. funding reductions. Even with the 10,000 contribution it seems they would still be up some 64,020 over assembly imposed reductions.
A different article on this site indicates that a quarter of Welsh homes are without a car and that transport poverty is an issue. Yet our council considers 10,000 to provide a safe and welcome environment to make use of public transport as an unnecessary expense.
I guess councillors don't catch buses and those pay rises have to be paid for somehow.
Caerphilly cbc need to sort out their priorities they give out huge pay rises to executives at the drop of the hat but this is more important to have wardens patrolling in the bus station. Shape up or ship out!