A BUS company had to cancel some of its services in Barrow yesterday due to ‘staff unavailability’.

Stagecoach had to axe the majority of services running from Biggar Bank and Furness General and apologised for‘any inconvenience.

“Due to staff unavailability there are some cancellations on service one today,” said a spokesman online.

“From Biggar Bank the 0904,1016,1128,1240,1352,150,1616 and 1728 will not operate.

“From Furness Hospital the 0829,0941,1053,1205,1317,1429,1541, and 1653 will not operate.

“Sorry for any inconvenience.”

Some services were also cancelled two weeks ago due to staff sickness.

Various times for service three from Newbarns to Ormsgill were cancelled on the afternoon of July 15, as well as the return journey from Ormsgill to Newbarns.

Stagecoach was contacted for comment about the reason for Friday’s services being cancelled.

The company’s Kendal depot has also been affected in a separate incident after someone claiming to be a bus driver reported “at least eight” drivers had tested positive at the Beezon Road depot.

A Stagecoach spokesman said a ‘small number of employees’ were self-isolating and that there was ‘absolutely no evidence of workplace transmission’.

The spokesman said all staff are adhering to social distancing and wearing face coverings and extensive testing exercise had been carried out in conjunction with South Lakeland District Council.

The spokesman added that whilst at work, all drivers are in a sealed personal cab with no contact with members of the public.

The company was hit earlier this year by a Covid-19 outbreak at its depot in Barrow in Walney Road.

In January, the business confirmed that a number of staff were self-isolating after an outbreak of the virus.

As many as 18 members of staff were reported to be isolating, although the bus company said there was ‘no evidence’ of transmission of the virus around the site.