Redirecting the 32 bus 'another nail in coffin of the Quarter'|Derby|Derby news|Cathedral Quarter|Arriva bus

TRADERS in Derby's Cathedral Quarter are calling on the bus company that redirected one of its routes away from the district to re-consider the decision.

Arriva has redirected its no. 32 service destination, which runs from Littleover Lane, to Babington Lane instead of Victoria Street.

UPSET: Hannah Barker, with son Tom, three, is complaining that the redirection of the no. 32 bus service means it is now difficult get to her favourite shops.

The Cathedral Quarter Company – a non-profit firm set up to boost performance for businesses in the area – said the change was a "real blow" and was encouraging shoppers away from that area to Westfield.

A spokeswoman said: "After all the hard work put in by Cathedral Quarter retailers, by the council and by the Evening Telegraph to revive the district, to have a travel link for shoppers rerouted like this is extremely disappointing.

"We will definitely be taking this up with Arriva to see if this can be resolved."

The change for the route was one of several publicised changes to Arriva's timetable last month.

Hannah Barker, 33, is among those who used the no. 32 service at least once a week, taking three-year-old son Tom with her in a pushchair, to shop in the Cathedral Quarter.

She said she was disappointed by the change, adding: "I find it very difficult to get to that end of town now. It's another nail in the Cathedral Quarter's coffin.

"I can see the appeal of Westfield and feel it should be catered for too but to deny people who enjoy the shops that you can find in the Cathedral Quarter seems very unfair.

"The alternatives are to catch the bus to Babington Lane and then switch to another bus for an extra 50p from there, round the back of Corporation Square and get off at Victoria Street.

"It's either that, or get a taxi, which can cost between £5 and £7, or drive, which that doesn't seem all that eco-friendly. And then there's parking fees."

But a spokesman for Arriva buses said there were no plans to restore the service.

He said:"We reviewed route 32 as part of the recent changes that took place to our scheduling on October 31.

"Following consultations with customers and local authorities, the majority decision was that the service run to the Westfield centre instead of to the Cathedral Quarter."

Gary Monk, who runs Interior Options, in Sadler Gate, said: "We were not warned about the change and stand to lose business because of it."