THERE will have been many people – particularly pensioners – who were left totally bewildered by the transport strategies of the two bus companies operating between Worcester and Kempsey.

The nub of it was this. Astons Coaches started a 32 service alongside First’s existing 32 service.

The latter firm then stopped its offpeak buses going to the village during the daytime. It had previously been running a regular all-day service picking up passengers outside the village hall.

In common parlance, this was hardly a case of joined-up thinking.

We are constantly being reminded of the need to think green and leave that car in the garage. But how could anyone pay heed to such noble considerations when the public transport system had in effect left them stranded?

But now, thanks to the sterling efforts of district councillor Mike Biddle, an extra £10,000 has been earmarked from county coffers to pay for three new afternoon services to be introduced.

This is a victory for commonsense.

It is plainly ridiculous that Worcestershire’s largest village should be cut off from the county town during the day. This newspaper has no problem whatsoever with the principle of healthy competition, but in this case, the usually beneficial results of private enterprise were serving no one.

Your Worcester News would also like to compliment Councillor Biddle.

He saw a problem and resolutely went about solving it. This is grassroots democracy at work and society is all the better for it.