MP calls on county council to stop bus route axe plans

Local MP Tim Farron has today called on the Conservative-led county council to stop plans to axe local bus services and instead put their plans out to consultation with local residents.

On Friday the county council released their plans for cutting rural bus services all over the South Lakes. Tim's office has been inundated by local residents who are concerned about these proposals. Bus services like the 550 from Silverdale to Kendal and the 541 from Bowness to Kendal are being proposed to be cut under the current plans, leaving many communities with no public transport at all.

Cutting subsidies to the 19 loss-making routes will only save £340,000 compared to the council's budget deficit of £33 million. At last month's budget setting meeting, the Liberal Democrat group proposed plans which would put the £340,000 back into the budget - but those plans were voted down by Labour and Conservative councillors.

Tim would like the county council to review their plans and allow the public to be consulted.

Commenting, Tim said; "I am worried about elderly and vulnerable people who use the buses to get into Kendal to collect their pension or to visit Westmorland General Hospital. This will also affect younger people who cannot drive but use the bus to get to school in some rural areas. I am working with my Liberal Democrat colleagues on the county council and we are calling on the Conservative and Labour councillors to look at this again. We will do everything we can to make them reconsider.

"In a rural area like ours public transport plays a vital role for local people but also to our tourism economy. This could really affect our area and this is why the council need to put their plans to the public and listen to their opinions."