VILLAGERS are to stage a protest against the withdrawal of bus services and a planned clinic closure.

Rastrick residents were angered when First Bus cancelled the 380, 381 and rerouted the 570 in January.

But they face a potential double blow as managers at Rastrick Health Centre in Chapel Croft are considering closing the centre.

It and Church Lane and Rydings Hall surgeries in Brighouse could be replaced by a centre at Princess Works on Birds Royd Lane in Brighouse.

Now villagers are to stage a protest on the proposed Rastrick Village Green on Crowtrees Lane by Rastrick Library at 2pm on Wednesday.

They fear the withdrawal of the services will leave vulnerable villagers – especially those with mobility problems – doubly isolated.

And Rastrick councillor Paul Rogan hopes the demonstration will gain attention from First, West Yorkshire passenger transport executive Metro, Calderdale Primary Care Trust, Calderdale Council and the Government.

Clr Rogan said: “This is the straw that’s broken the camel’s back.

“How can people get to a new health centre if there’s no bus service?

“Rastrick Health Centre is centrally located and for all these people to trek to Brighouse isn’t acceptable.

“We told Metro that great tracts of Rastrick had been missed out and these are tracts where old people and people with the most need for services live.

“They basically said people can walk to the next bus stop. Rastrick is very hilly and old people are going to find that difficult.”

A spokesman for First said: “The aim was to rationalise the number of services to and from Rastrick as often buses were duplicating journeys, causing confusion and uncertainty among customers.

“As part of the service changes the 380 and 381 were cancelled and replaced by an extended 549 service, which means Rastrick still has two buses an hour to Huddersfield.

“Also, the 570 service had a minor route change within Rastrick to take in a couple of roads previously served by the 380 and 381.

“The changes have been a success and have allowed First to run a more efficient service to and from Rastrick.”