BATLEY and Spen MP Tracy Brabin highlighted residents' anger over bus cuts during Prime Minister's Questions today.

It comes after Arriva announced changes to North Kirklees bus routes that will see several services removed altogether when the new timetable comes in next month.

She said: “Batley and Spen is a community made up of small towns and villages, and buses are a valued and essential service. So, I’m sure the Prime Minister will sympathise with my constituents’ anger at the recent cuts to services by Arriva announced this week.

"So much so that commutes are thrown into chaos, people can’t get to the shops and one head teacher told me that they were concerned at how their pupils would actually get to school."

She added: “Doesn’t the Prime Minister agree with me that people are more important than profit, and isn’t it time to invest in bus services after years of cuts and bring them under public control?”

Prime Minister Theresa May said the Government recognises the importance buses play in local communities. Ms Brabin is due to meet Arriva’s Head of Commercial Operations on Friday and will urge the bus company to rethink its plans.

A spokesperson for Arriva said: “We are investing heavily in our network across the Batley and Spen area, with changes being made following extensive consultation with bus users. Highlights include quicker journeys, new links and we’ve even doubled the frequency in places.

“We’re also introducing new Sunday links following requests, and a new late night departure on a Friday and Saturday night from Leeds to Cleckheaton too. 

“We’re confident that these changes will increase bus usage in the area, and we’d urge our customers to visit our website for information on what is changing.”