RESIDENTS in Darton, Kexborough and Mapplewell are campaigning for a bus service linking the three villages to be reinstated.
They have submitted a petition to the council asking for the 235 Barnsley to Huddersfield service to be restored. It provided a direct link and without it they feel isolated and cut off from neighbouring shops and amenities.
The recent floods in Darton has seen many facilities like the Post Office face closure, leaving residents reliant on neighbouring villages. One campaigner, who wishes to remain anonymous, says that without the 235 transport link locals are having to take one bus into the town centre and catch another from there to get to a neighbouring village, all adding to the cost and time spent travelling.
The closure of Kexborough’s only doctors’ surgery has led to further problems because residents no longer have direct transport access to the twin branch in Mapplewell unless they travel via the town centre, pay for a taxi, get a lift or walk.
The 235 service was operated by Stagecoach on a commercial basis during the day and was withdrawn in May because the number using it was low and it was no longer financially viable.
