A “breakdown in communication” is to blame for “mayhem” caused when bus companies were not told long-planned roadworks in Stokenchurch were cancelled, so some diversion routes remained in place.

Transport for Bucks was due to install a traffic island at the junction of Wycombe Road and Marlow Road for two weeks from August 20 – however the work was postponed.

Residents had been warned months before that a section of the road would be closed to allow the work to take place, so bus routes would be diverted during the period.

However the bus companies were not told the roadworks had been cancelled and continued to run diversion routes, resulting in frustrated passengers’ journeys being unnecessarily disrupted.

Addressing a meeting of the South West Chilterns and Marlow Local Area Forum on Tuesday, September 11, Stokechurch resident, Mike Chadwick, called for clarity on how TfB’s communicates disruption caused by roadworks to those affected.

He added that some buses from High Wycombe to Stokenchurch were following the diversion route, while others were not, causing even more confusion for passengers.

He said: “Could it be explained why any such system completely fell down in the case of work scheduled by TfB for Marlow Road, Stokenchurch, for two weeks in late August?

“Notices were put on bus stops and buses diverted causing inconvenience and confusion, despite the work not actually taking place.

“We all forget to do things from time-to-time, I appreciate that. I also appreciate that probably most of the staff are doing three people’s jobs, so I am not trying to get at anyone.

“But I just wanted to illustrate this so that you perhaps re-check the processes.”

In a statement read out at the forum, TfB apologised for the inconvenience caused, adding its passenger transport team is required to inform the bus operators – however there was an “unfortunate breakdown in communication” when the work in Stokenchurch was cancelled.

TfB said: “The street works team send out a bulletin to all potentially affected parties including the passenger transport team.

“These two teams do work closely and more often than not the matter is discussed in person.

“The passenger transport team then arranges to notify the bus operator.

“On receipt of any change to the planned works again the street works team will reissue a new bulletin to the passenger transport team and notify the interested parties.

“This procedure tends to work well, but on this occasion there has been an unfortunate breakdown in communication. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused on this occasion.”

TfB is also planning to review the procedure to ensure the same thing does not happen again.