MP thanks councillors for bus funding

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has thanked Windermere Councillors Dyan Jones and Colin Jones for securing £1,500 to pay for the ongoing costs of the 597 bus.

Tim also paid tribute to Windermere Town Council who last year provided funding to keep the bus service going. The bus is a vital lifeline for people on the estates in Windermere and takes them to Booths supermarket and the health centre at Goodly Dale. Tim has previously written to Booths to ask them to support the service financially and has urged them again to do so today.

South Lakeland District Councillor for the Droomer Drive estate, Dyan Jones has given £500 for the service from her 'members small grants fund' and Windermere County Councillor Colin Jones has stumped up £1,000. Colin has said he will continue to help secure funding, including using part of his council allowance, to try and fund the service going forward.

Tim said: "Colin and Dyan have made supporting the 597 service a priority and this funding shows that they are backing up their words with deeds. I also want to thank Windermere Town Council for their work on this over the last few months.

"Rural bus services are a real lifeline and I will keep working with everyone I can to protect them."

Councillor Colin Jones added: "Dyan and myself were approached two months ago by concerned residents and users of the 597 service we have since formed the Friends of the 597 service and we are working closely with Cumbria County Council to make sure the service continues and thrives."