More and more elderly and handicapped shoppers are using trolleys for their shopping, me included. This is beginning to cause problems on our local bus service in South Oxhey.

Arriva have, as promised, provided larger buses for our use and we find that increasingly more luxurious buses are introduced.

On my return journey from Watford a few days ago we boarded what must have been the latest luxurious model. The two areas normally reserved for disabled passengers or pushchairs had upholstered seats. An open invitation to take a seat, particularly a shopper with a large four-wheel trolley. All these special seats were soon occupied by passengers with or without trolleys. By the time we reached lower high street the bus was full with several passengers with trolleys finding a seat further down the bus.

However it is very difficult to sit and place your trolley in front of you as I often find to my discomfort. Several trolleys are therefore allowed to rest in the gangway.

As we reached Bushey Arches bus stop a lady with a small pram attempted to board. She was prevented by the driver as he quite rightly stated that there was no room and he wasn’t allowed to block the gangway. He advised that the lady wait for the next bus. But that would be 30 minutes and the same situation might arise.

With our limited bus service how often is this situation likely to occur in the future? Why, in this day and age should the bus passengers have to put up with this type of service?

If our local councils have not sufficient funds to provide their residents with decent services then it is about time that we made our voices heard.

Our own MP is a senior member of the Treasury!

Roy Telfer, Puttenham Close, South Oxhey