Watford MP Dean Russell raised his constituency's bus complaints in Parliament, after meeting users left "almost in tears" by disruption.

Cancellations have been crippling Watford and nearby areas for months, with problems seemingly worsening with regular reports of rush-hour misery.

During an adjournment debate on December 20, the MP called for consultation and communication with bus users before timetable changes are made.

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He said: “Recent changes to timetables in Watford have caused serious issues for my constituents in their daily lives, whether they are trying to get to work, hospital appointments, GP appointments, or visiting friends and family.”

He added that he was “surprised” to learn there is no rule that operators must consult users before changing timetables and said it seemed “an obvious thing to do”.

“I have had constituents almost in tears, telling me, ‘I can’t ask my boss again if I can come in late’”, he said.

“They say, ‘I’m having to cancel GP or hospital appointments or let them know that I’m going to be late, which might mean that it moves back a week or longer.’”

Watford Observer: Watford MP Dean RussellWatford MP Dean Russell (Image: Richard Townshend)

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, MP Richard Holden agreed that there is an “unacceptable” lack of communication when services cannot be provided.

He added that there is an expectation from the government that operators should “provide the service that they advertise”.

After the debate, Mr Russell said: “I recognise the challenges the bus services sector is facing, and I welcome the government investment into improving bus services as part of a long-term strategy.

“Recent investment to subsidise bus travel over the coming months will directly support residents of Watford, easing cost-of-living pressures.”

He also highlighted issues locals have raised during community engagement sessions with Arriva.

Watford Observer: Watford busWatford bus (Image: Watford Borough Council)These included unreliable services, buses being re-routed without warning, services cancelled indefinitely (including to any supermarkets from Abbots Langley), and multiple buses now being required to travel to essential destinations such as Watford General Hospital.

Earlier this month Arriva said it was “genuinely sorry” for bus disruption amid claims it is “destroying people’s lives”.

It blamed industry-wide staff shortages and claimed a “highly targeted” recruitment drive and service changes should start to bring improvements from January.