Local Councillors welcome report on buses
Local Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed a report, published today, which calls for action to be taken to protect bus services, particularly in rural areas and for local people to be consulted more fully when there are plans to cut bus services.
The report, issued by the Transport Select Committee of MPs, states that many elderly, young and disabled people in rural areas are losing out because of cutbacks to bus services. Here in Hinckley and Bosworth Cllr Bill Crooks and Cllr Michael Mullaney have been campaigning against cutbacks to local buses. Recently they sent in a petition of more than a 1000 names asking for cutbacks to the 153 bus service to be reversed. The service covers, among other places, Market Bosworth, Barlestone, Osbaston, Newbold Verdon and Desford. The petition is to be considered by the County Council's Scrutiny Commission on the 7th September.
Cllr Bill Crooks Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesman said "I'm glad the MPs have recognised the problem of buses being cutback in rural areas. I hope that Leicestershire County Council and the bus services can reach some agreement to maintain buses through rural parts of Hinckley and Bosworth."
Cllr Michael Mullaney, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Hinckley and Bosworth added "The cutbacks to the 153 service means that many villages no longer have a Sunday bus service.This is bad news for people who work on Sundays and don't drive, particularly many young people.
"Buses affected by recent cutbacks include the Cresswell 7 service, which is the only bus service for many villages in the west of Hinckley and Bosworth like Witherley, Fenny Drayton and Ratcliffe Culey. "I hope the County Council will have a rethink and will avoid future cuts to local bus services."
The Transport Select Committee report can be read online at http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmtran/750/75002.htm