A Plaid Cymru Senedd Member has criticised the decision to axe a direct bus link to a major hospital.

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS said it was “deeply disappointing” that Stagecoach is no longer running the 21 bus service between Blackwood and The Grange Hospital. The hourly service also called at  Newbridge, Crumlin, Llanhilleth, Hafodyrynys, Pontypool and Griffithstown.

The service had only begun in the second week of July last year in response to widespread criticism at the inaccessibility of the £350m hospital in Llantarnam for the communities it serves.

The service was funded by the Labour Government.

Peredur Owen Griffiths said this was a “bitter blow” for the communities throughout the valleys.

“It is deeply disappointing that this service is no longer operational,” he said. “It was announced to great fanfare by the Labour Government last summer and many backbench Labour Mss lauded its arrival.

“They have gone strangely quiet now that the service is no more.”

He added: “As well as the long waits for treatment that have become synonymous with The Grange Hospital, its inaccessibility has been one of the biggest complaints about this flagship hospital since it opened nearly four years ago.

“Reliable public transport serving this hospital is vital for the communities I represent given the low car ownership that many of them have.

“This will come as a bitter blow for hopes that connectivity to the hospital would get better, not worse.

“The reality is that many people will now have to catch at least two buses and spend a considerable amount of time getting to the hospital – whether for an appointment or to visit family or friends - if they do not have a car.

“That is unfair and I will be making representations on the matter.”

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