THE way bus services in Oswestry are being delivered will go under the microscope at the latest town council meeting on Wednesday.

Councillors in the town will be asked to consider a motion from Councillor Steve Mason on allowing the Future Oswestry Group (FOG) – set up to review the priorities in Oswestry's 2020 neighbourhood Plan – to lead on redesigning how services are operated.

In his motion for the meeting – held at 7pm on Zoom – he states that under the current format, bus services in the town are unsustainable and has set out a number of points for his plans.

"As Oswestry strives to emerge from the challenges of Covid-19, it will be vitally important for the local economy to attract customers back into the town centre quickly," Cllr Mason said.

"I welcomed the government support of businesses by offering them grant funding during the crisis, but our local emphasis needs to shift.

"The FOG will take a key role in this, and I am really pleased to hear of the work being planned so far to enable shoppers to return to the town centre with confidence.

"However, I believe more needs to be done to get our residents to the shops. Therefore, my motion is calling for FOG to lead on work at redesigning Oswestry town bus service.

"In its current format it is, in my opinion, unsustainable and too expensive. I call upon Future Oswestry to look into redesigning a service to meet the following outcomes."

Cllr Mason continued to state that communities should be better linked to Park Hall, Gobowen station and the Orthopaedic Hospital, and the supermarkets.

He also wants to reduce subsidies, increase numbers and reduce carbon emissions.

He added: "If the outcomes can be met, then I believe that Oswestry, its residents, its business and its environment can all be winners and I call on fellow councillors to support me."

Meanwhile, in the private section of the meeting – which excludes press and public – councillors will have discussion's over the repair work needed for the Oswestry Visitor and Exhibition Centre as well as business proposal for the site, both from Simon Cranmer, the town council's operations manager.

Access details for the meeting are 836 5034 4676, and the link will be valid from 6.30pm.