A community campaign is gathering momentum in Solihull after a decision to alter a key bus route left residents fearing they will be cut off from a major hospital.
Route change severs direct hospital link
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has confirmed changes to the 73 bus service, which currently runs from Solihull Town Centre to Heartlands Hospital. From January, the service will be renumbered to the 98/99. However, a crucial alteration to its path means it will no longer stop on Old Lode Lane.
Campaigners, led by Elmdon ward councillor Laura McCarthy, have launched a petition demanding a U-turn. They argue the move will strand many people living along Old Lode Lane, a major route through the Hatchford Brook area, who rely on the bus to reach medical appointments, visit loved ones, or get to work at the hospital.
‘How am I going to get to the hospital?’
Councillor McCarthy stated that the strength of local opposition was immediately clear. “We launched a petition because we had so many people contact us as soon as it was announced,” she said. “People reached out saying ‘how am I going to get to the hospital’ and ‘I have regular appointments’, or ‘I go and visit loved ones’. And a couple of people have said I work there.”
She emphasised that the suggested alternative of walking to another stop or changing buses is not a practical solution for residents with mobility issues. The online petition, which gained more than 40 signatures in its first few hours, calls for the new 98/99 service to be revised. The proposed change would create a loop from the Wheatsheaf pub, down Hobs Moat Road and onto Old Lode Lane, before re-joining Coventry Road.
Transport authority responds to concerns
A spokesperson for TfWM acknowledged residents' worries but defended the network redesign. “We understand residents’ concerns regarding the loss of a direct Heartlands Hospital link from Old Lode Lane,” they said. “But by redesigning the network and combining this and another service in the new 98/99 service, we have prevented the total loss of these routes and created a more frequent service for the wider area.”
The spokesperson added that residents of Old Lode Lane can still reach Heartlands Hospital with a single change of bus. Campaigners, however, contend that this is an unacceptable barrier for many. The petition continues to circulate online as the planned January change date approaches.
