The possibility that the 82 bus service between Chester and Northwich will be discontinued seems to me to be another example of our councillors and officers being disconnected from the communities they are here to serve.

It would also suggest that departments within the council are also disconnected from each other.

A little more subsidy to maintain this service – and the important word here is ‘service’ – will be money well spent.

Removal of the 82 service doesn’t just remove a transport link for a few shoppers.

The service is an essential part of the prevention agenda. Part of helping the wider community to maintain good levels of health and wellbeing.

Removal of the service will quickly increase loneliness and isolation for some sections of our community. For the most part these will be the vulnerable, the least noisy, the ones easiest to ignore.  These are the very groups that we hope our elected members will consider first, not last.

The financial implications of poorer health and wellbeing will far outweigh any subsidy.

 Gordon Atkinson

Northwich