ANGRY traders have locked horns with railway bosses after being told a free bus service would not be re-routed down their Chester street.
The shop owners in Brook Street had high hopes when officials from the Rail Gateway Partnership met a few weeks ago to discuss potentially bringing a shuttle service, which operates between the city centre and Chester Railway Station, back to their street.
However, representatives from Mersey Rail, Central Trains, Virgin Trains, Arriva Trains Wales and First North Western voted against the measure, fearing such a move could result in increased journey times and also possibly compromise a “fast and frequent service”.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) spokesman Shirley Wingfield said: “The train operating companies considered the request and decided they didn’t want to see the route altered.”
However, she added that other ways of promoting and marketing Brook Street could be considered.
Meanwhile, the business owners still say they deserve “no less than the free bus” given the decline in trade in recent years as a result of various council-led initiatives, including repair work to the Hoole Bridge.
The service itself, which was used by more than 700,000 people last year, used to operate along Brook Street but was re-routed to City Road by the former local authority several years ago.
Campaigners have now pledged to take the fight city-wide by expanding a petition which had already been signed by residents and traders from the area.
United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) Parliamentary candidate for Chester, Allan Weddell, has been campaigning on behalf of the traders to bring the free shuttle service back to Brook Street.
He said: “Local shops, restaurants and pubs play a vital role in fostering community cohesion and serving local residents and I shall be contacting businesses across the city in the next few days and asking for their support.
“Window signs have been prepared, as have petition sheets and I anticipate a very positive response in support of hard pressed Brook Street traders.”
He added: “I shall present the petition to the Conservative-controlled CWaC during the three week general election campaign.
“I find it ironic that a party which was once led by a grocer’s daughter has taken such a high handed attitude with local shopkeepers.”
Stewart Tattersall, owner of Dee Sport, added: “Bringing back this service would most definitely be a compromise. It would certainly help us out. These people will finally get to see our shops.”