MP writes to county council leader demanding public consultation on bus axe plans

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has today written to county council leader Eddie Martin, calling on him to put plans to axe rural bus routes out to public consultation.

After £340,000 was cut from the budget to support bus services by the Conservative-Labour administration, decisions have been made behind closed doors about which services will face the axe. In the South Lakes, both the 550 from Silverdale to Kendal and the 541 from Bowness to Kendal are being cut, leaving many communities with no public transport at all.

In a Westmorland Gazette this week a poll showed that 74% of participants said the bus cuts were unjustifiable.

Tim Farron is calling on the council to allow local people to have their say about how the remaining money is spent.

Tim said: "These plans to axe rural bus services without public consultation is wrong. I'm sure alternatives could be looked at like moving services or tinkering around with routes to make sure no-one is left without vital public transport. I hope Eddie Martin heeds my letter and that the council looks again at these cuts."