WESTMORLAND MP ARGUES FOR DEVOLUTION OF BUS SERVICES TO LOCAL COUNCILS

Today, in a debate on the decarbonisation of rural transport, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has argued for the devolution of bus services to local authorities to make public transport more accessible.

Tim praised the Government's £2 bus fare cap that was recently extended until the end of June. He argued for a further extension and that publicly accessible and reliable bus services were essential in the fight to reduce carbon emissions.

Tim spoke of communities in the Cartmel Peninsula and Eden Valley that have no public transport links, forcing residents to use cars. He argued that if powers to control the bus services were devolved to local authorities, like the Westmorland and Furness Council in his constituency, these remote communities would benefit, and decarbonisation would be more achievable.

Speaking afterwards he said: "If these powers were devolved it means that those small communities who have consistently been overlooked when it comes to public transport links would have access to buses.

"Not only would this benefit residents but help put rural communities on the front foot in the fight against climate change."