A new bus service launched to transport residents between Leek and Macclesfield on a route from Ashbourne to Manchester will be cancelled only four days after it was launched.

The X1 service, run by Hulleys of Baslow, began on Monday this week (6th September), but it will come to an end tomorrow (Thursday 9th September), with the company blaming a lack of drivers for the cancellation.

The service previously running between Leek and Macclesfield was the 109, run by D&G, but this was withdrawn.

Residents have reacted with disappointment at the sudden change, and Hulleys have apologised for "letting people down".

A spokesperson for Hulleys explained that the company had more than enough drivers at the time the service was registered in June.

They said: "Everything was ready to roll, the process of recruiting more drivers continued while a small number had left. At the end of last week however, a number of drivers expected to return to work from sickness absence indicated they wouldn't be doing so. Other new drivers who were expected to start this Monday informed us they no longer be joining, and another driver fell ill.

"All of this in just two days for any operator would be challenging. For a small operator such as Hulleys, with the best will in the world we were put in an impossible situation. We do not like letting people down and so we're presented with two options: to try and run all services but cancel journeys at short notice as and when we were unable to cover them, or cut back our network to a level where we have sufficient staff to cover all journeys every day.

"We're sorry that we've been forced to make these changes at such short notice and for letting people down. It is not a decision that has been taken lightly or with any pleasure. We want to continue to do our very best for the most with the resources available and we feel this is the best way to do that.

"We now need to concentrate our efforts on recruiting staff and providing the best possible service we can, and for that reason we are unable to answer any queries about this here. Passengers intending to travel on the X1 should contact Staffordshire County Council on 03001118000 or email [email protected]"

One resident called the cancellation "a shame" saying: "It is a shame that it's all gone so pear shaped, I was looking forward to the X1 but understand the issues faced."

Another said: "What you've done is let people down, promising this and promising that. Why introduce all these new routes and not have enough cover?"

Although a third added: "Definitely the right decision to cut back rather than risk services being unreliable due to driver shortage."