Bus services have been withdrawn from parts of a Sheffield estate due to a spate of attacks on vehicles. The decision, which was taken by bus operator First South Yorkshire follows objects thrown at vehicles, leading to safety concerns and the re-routing of services in the estate.

The bus routes impacted are the 41 and 51, with services suspended in parts of Arbourthorne from Monday to Friday between 5pm until the end of service and on weekends from 12pm until the end of service. Diversion are in place.

Residents say the diversions, which have now been in place for a week are starting to have a big impact on their lives.

Councillors have this week been voicing their frustration and unfolded a banner at one of the impacted bus stops saying ‘Arbourthorne Needs Buses’ in a bid to draw attention to the plight of local residents in the hilly area of the city.

Cllr Jack Scott said: ‘residents are suffering because of the anti-social behaviour of a tiny minority who should know better. Throwing objects at buses threatens the lives of both passengers and drivers and means that buses can’t safely operate in our area. It’s a disgrace’.

Local Arbourthorne resident Stacey Mitchell said: ‘It definitely needs sorting. A lot of elderly residents rely on these services as a lifeline to independence. That fact that the 41 route had already been reduced to 1 an hour before this is disgusting. We need to see some action from the local police to stop this anti-social behaviour and get our bus services back’.

Cllr Sophie Wilson said: ‘Arbourthorne needs buses and we urgently need to see some action to tackle this problem. That’s why we’ve told the police that residents see the re-starting of bus services as a top priority, especially because the hills in Arbourthorne make walking difficult for many elderly and vulnerable people. More needs to be done to tackle this’.

In a video posted on social media, Cllr Ben Miskell said: ‘many people have been getting in touch with me over the past few days, disgruntled that bus services have been diverted due to anti-social behaviour where people have been throwing objects at buses. This is causing a problem for people trying to get to work and also people who are trying to visit relatives across the city. I’ll be working over the next few hours and days with the police to make sure that we get our bus services back’.