SIR - I am writing this letter regarding the local bus service for Great Ashby, the SB7 circular. I had to abandon my plans for the bank holiday, due to the fact that not one but two SB7s failed to arrive. I was waiting at the bus stop on Great Ashby Way,

SIR - I am writing this letter regarding the local bus service for Great Ashby, the SB7 circular.

I had to abandon my plans for the bank holiday, due to the fact that not one but two SB7s failed to arrive. I was waiting at the bus stop on Great Ashby Way, from 8.50am to 9.40am for the scheduled 8.56 and 9.26, neither of which arrived.

On the previous Sunday, August 17, I waited from 18.l0 until 19.30 on Vardon Road for the scheduled 18.22, 18.52 and 19.22, of which none arrived. Consequently, I had to get a taxi home, costing me £5.60.

I am 24 years old and have a chronic health condition, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which has lead to me developing chronic kidney failure and problems with my joints. I am on a lot of medication because of this and therefore am unable to drive.

On the occasion of August 17, the standing around in the rain and cold had a particularly detrimental effect on my health, causing my joints to be incredibly painful and the beginnings of a cold the following day. It is also putting my safety at risk, standing about, when hardly anyone is about.

I do have a disabled bus pass, which should enable me to get to the places I need to go to. I do voluntary work and am studying at the local college and have to attend a lot of hospital appointments. Because of the haphazard service the SB7 is running, it is now increasingly difficult to get to these places.

When I was waiting for the bus one morning, people were trying to get to work, to no avail. This of course, could not only cost them money, but ultimately their job, due to the frequency of which this is occurring.

Improvements have been made since April to the SB7 service, however they are not being adhered to. We have, I believe, the most inadequate and unreliable bus service in the whole of Stevenage, for what is a vastly expanding area. With most other areas in Stevenage most have more than two services.

I hope that by writing to yourselves, Arriva will take note and do something about this, instead of having total disregard for people's health, safety, employment and general well-being.

Miss ANNA MORRIS

Great Ashby

Stevenage