A ROW erupted at a council Cabinet meeting last week over a decision to axe Aberystwyth’s park-and-ride bus service used by many people to get to and from Bronglais Hospital.

Council chiefs were accused of not being “open” about the decision, which was taken before councillors had a chance to discuss the issue.

But the authority’s leader has insisted major building work at the hospital left the service unable to continue.

News that the council was looking to scrap the service by not renewing the contract with Mid Wales Travel leaked in April after it emerged that secret talks had been held between Ceredigion council and Hywel Dda Health Board with the park-and-ride contract set to expire in August.

But council leader Ellen ap Gwynn said there was no point in renewing the contract after it was confirmed that building work at the hospital will see a section of Caradog Road used by the bus closed for nine months. However, a final decision will not be made until the next meeting of the Cabinet.

While that reason was not used when it initially emerged that the council was looking to save £69,000 by refusing to renew the contract, Cllr Ceredig Davies said the decision was bad news for Aberystwyth and especially for patients who used the service to get to Bronglais.

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