Farron: 'Use new funds to protect rural transport'
After securing a major grant from the Government, local MP Tim Farron has today called on Cumbria County Council to use the money to protect rural transport in the South Lakes.
A grant of £288,000 has been given to Cumbria County Council by Lib Dem minister Norman Baker, to help develop community transport services across Cumbria . It is the second time the council has received funding from the Department for Transport since April 2011, when the council received another £288,000.
Tim would like to see the county council commit to use the funds to roll out schemes like 'Rural Wheels'. Rural Wheels is a unique community transport scheme that helps to address the lack of good public transport provision in some rural areas of Cumbria. It provides door-to-door transport for people when required and at reasonable cost.
Tim said: "Earlier this year a massive community campaign helped save rural bus services at the 11th hour from county council cuts. Since then I have gone away and pushed the Government to provide more funds to protect our rural transport services."
"The county council has now had nearly £600,000 and I want them to agree that this money will be put towards rolling out schemes like Rural Wheels in our area. Rural transport is a vital community lifeline and many residents rely on it. The council now have the money and the means - residents want certainty and I'm calling on the council to provide it."