MP secures meeting with minister over South Lakes bus closures

Local MP Tim Farron has secured a meeting with transport minister Baroness Vere about rural bus services in Cumbria.

Over the past decade there have been around 900 bus services cut in the North West, including most recently the 552 service from Arnside to Kendal and the 530 from Cartmel to Kendal via Levens.

Tim has also this week launched a petition calling for the Government to restore funding for bus subsidies and to make affordable and reliable bus services a key part of the Northern Powerhouse.

Tim said: "Having had 40p in every pound of funding cut by the Government, local councils have to make the decision between subsidising bus services and spending money on adult social care.

"This is clearly unsustainable with so many of our communities being left stranded as a result.

"If the Northern Powerhouse is to mean anything to anyone north of Preston, then the provision of a comprehensive, affordable and reliable rural bus service in Cumbria needs to be a key part of it."

To sign Tim's petition, go to https://www.southlakeslibdems.org.uk/bus