Thinking of going for a Sunday walk or to a Sunday job in North Staffordshire? Think again. Just announced, an abrupt and major removal of vital local Sunday bus services by First (the biggest bus provider in the area). Likely to be a very significant blow to ramblers, church-goers, volunteers, Sunday-lunchers, and weekend workers, among others. The new timetables will operate from Sunday 2nd July 2023.

Service 7, 7A from Hanley – Kidsgrove / Biddulph: The Sunday service is withdrawn.

Service 18 from Hanley – Leek: The Sunday service is withdrawn.

Service 101 from Hanley – Stafford: The Sunday service is withdrawn.

And the 101 is supposed to be the area’s flagship / showcase ‘untouchable’ service. It was servicing (among others) the gigantic but remote new Pets At Home warehouse between Stone and Stafford. They must be livid at the likely loss of many of their weekend workers, having spent vast amounts on the new mega-site and being all set to move their Stoke workers there.