PENARTH resident Paul Fenton, who has gathered over 500 signatures on a petition to restore the withdrawn 93 bus service through Poets Corner, has accused Penarth Town Council of "shutting down local democracy" after councillors refused to allow his formal question at their next meeting.

Mr Fenton said: "Both of my ward councillors, Ian Buckley and Rhiannon Birch, support the current 7 bus service, which is totally inadequate, which only runs five weekdays off peak times with no Saturday service at all and have repeatedly refused to support the petition, and in Cllr Birch's case she has failed to reply to my emails, except once sending me a link to Bronwen Brooks, Deputy Leader, Vale of Glamorgan in charge of bus services in the Vale.

"I even raised the issue directly with her outside West House, while she was attending her Saturday surgery, yet nothing has changed.

"To now be told that I cannot even put a simple question to the Town Council is deeply disappointing and raises real questions about accountability. Residents deserve answers, not silence."

Mr fenton says a peaceful protest will still take place outside West House, Stanwell Road, on Thursday 11 September, 6–7pm, immediately before the Penarth Town Council meeting.

Campaigners are demanding to know why the 93 bus was withdrawn despite the Vale of Glamorgan Council receiving £282,868.20 in Bus Services Support Grant funding to support the 93 and the evening 94 service.