MP welcomes U-turn over plan to scrap subsidies for rural bus services

A Fylde coast MP has welcomed the scrapping of a plan to axe funding for some rural bus services.
Fylde MP Mark MenziesFylde MP Mark Menzies
Fylde MP Mark Menzies

Following the launch of The Gazette’s Save Our Buses campaign last month, Mark Menzies said he contacted Lancashire County Council in protest over its move 
to withdraw support for services in Fylde and Wyre.

Last week, the county council’s cabinet decided not to include a blanket withdrawal of subsidies for rural services, a victory for more the hundreds of people who signed The Gazette’s campaign petition.

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Mr Menzies said: “Some of our villages are extremely rural and there can be a fine line for more vulnerable people between enjoying the tranquillity of those rural idylls and feeling cut off and stranded.

“That is why I was so disappointed to see that LCC was considering scrapping bus routes in those areas and I wrote to the Chief Executive to tell her I expect people in Fylde to receive the best services available for the amount of council tax they pay.

“Last year, the Number 80 serving Elswick, Little Eccleston and Singleton was removed from the timetable and I received many complaints before we managed to get it reinstated.”

“I was delighted to hear the cabinet had listened to the arguments and decided to remove this option, recognising the serious impact it could have on older people and some of our most vulnerable residents.”