A Royston grandmother with mobility problems has criticised the lack of buses to the town’s new M&S Foodhall.

Royston Crow: The new M&S Foodhall and Aldi at Royston Gateway. Picture: DANNY LOOThe new M&S Foodhall and Aldi at Royston Gateway. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Linda Wittingham – who uses a walking stick – was surprised to learn she couldn’t get a bus to the new M&S Foodhall in Royston, which opened on Wednesday.

The 58-year-old told the Crow: “I think it’s disgusting that the new shops are opened and there are no buses to get to them. How do they expect old people to get there?

“I have a dodgy ankle and I use a walking stick, I can cycle but I can’t do that every day, I need the buses. The whole idea of getting these shops open is to get people to them to spend money, but they would get more people along if there were bus routes there.

Linda, who has lived in Royston for 28 years, said she reported the issue to Herts County Council but was told ‘it wasn’t down to them.’

Royston Crow: The new M&S Foodhall and Aldi at Royston Gateway. Picture: DANNY LOOThe new M&S Foodhall and Aldi at Royston Gateway. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

She continued: “I feel disgusted, I have cycled down there on Sunday, but I couldn’t do that every day, and you couldn’t do it with a bag full of shopping.

“We should have something put in place to help people get to the shops, people want to spend their money in Royston at the new stores.

“If you can’t drive then you need a bus service, if you’re an old person you need a bus service as the only way to get there is by road via the A505 or near Johnson Matthey, and that is not good enough.”

Aldi is also due to open at the Royston Gateway site, between York Way and the A505 on February 21.

Royston Crow: The bus stop at the new M&S Foodhall and Aldi, Royston Gateway. Picture: DANNY LOOThe bus stop at the new M&S Foodhall and Aldi, Royston Gateway. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Permission for the stores was granted by North Herts District Council in September 2017, on the basis that there would be a bus service serving the site.

Supporting documents in the proposal stated that the foodstores will help to meet the needs of the town and provide greater choice and competition in the local market, as well as catering for customers who are currently travelling from further afield.

Regarding the lack of bus route, Herts County Council spokesman said: “We are aware of this situation and are working on providing a service as soon as we can.”