MP calls on council leader to act on his words and reinstate free school transport

Local MP Tim Farron has called on the leader of Cumbria County Council to name the date that he will reinstate free school transport after he told a local newspaper he like to bring it back.

Cumbria County Council leader Eddie Martin was quoted in the News & Star newspaper last Friday saying that: "One of my biggest sadnesses of the last 18 months is that we've had to withdraw funding for free school transport for over 16s. I'd like to reinstate that as soon as possible."

Tim has led the campaign to force the council to change their minds on the proposal. Hundreds of families all overSouth Lakelandhave had to pay £350 a year from last September to get their children to and from school after Cumbria County Council cut funding for concessionary transport.

Commenting, Tim said: "For months Eddie and his colleagues at the county council have ignored our calls to look at this again. I am glad that finally our campaigning has made him see that this policy was unfair and wrong. For me though words are one thing and actions are another - I'd like him to name the date that he will reinstate the service."