COUNCIL STEPS IN TO CONTINUE RURAL BUS SERVICES (North East Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats)

North East Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats <info@nebedslibdems.org.uk>

COUNCIL STEPS IN TO CONTINUE RURAL BUS SERVICES

March 29, 2011 3:35 PM

Dave Hodgson Bedford Borough Council has announced it will step in to continue two rural bus services.

The 152 service is operated by Cedar Coaches and runs between Bedford and Riseley. Previously, Cambridgeshire County Council then paid a subsidy for the service to continue to Kimbolton and on to St Neots. However, that funding has now been withdrawn.

This would have meant the service would stop at Riseley - removing a vital link for residents living to the north of the village.

However, agreement has been reached with Cedar Coaches now to keep the service running to Kimbolton, pending the outcome of the rural transport tender in July.

The new timetable provides a later last service each day and starts on 4^th April.

Similarly, Central Bedfordshire Council had paid a subsidy for the E3 service which served the 'Willington Loop'. However this part of the route has now been withdrawn. Bedford Borough Council has now agreed a deal with the Villager Community Bus Service to serve Willington Loop and continue to Great Barford doctors surgery and onwards to Tesco on Goldington Road. This new service will start on the 29^th March.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: "I am pleased we have been able to step in and ensure that residents of both Riseley and Willington continue to have access to decent bus services, despite the cuts in support from neighbouring authorities.

"We know a significant number of residents living in both areas rely on these services to take them to the doctors, post office and other essential facilities.

"A number of issues have arisen on cross-boundary routes, with neighbouring authorities removing support for rural bus routes. We are continuing to support Bedford Borough residents to use rural bus services and are doing all we can to ensure that they are not disadvantaged through the removal of funding by other authorities."