CROSS party disappointment has been expressed as Cumbria is left off the list of 31 areas selected for bus service funding.

Central Government announced on Monday that £1.08 billion in funding will be shared out across 31 regions in England to improve bus service.

Graham Vidler, Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport said the funds will give operators the certainty they need to run an extensive network of services.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that the funding "will also help authorities and operators work together to provide even better services for people right across the country."

Greater Manchester was allocated £94.8 million; West Midlands £87.9 million and Luton £19.1 million.

Leader of Cumbria County Council Stewart Young said that the decision is "a kick in the teeth."

"I can confirm that we have been notified today that Cumbria will not receive any grant at all to help us improve our bus services.  We have been advised that we should bid instead to the Levelling Up Fund.

"Coming after the loss of £40 million over four years for repairing our roads, which has also been transferred into the Levelling Up Fund, it goes to show that the Government is not serious in its Levelling Up agenda as far as Cumbria is concerned.

The leader of the Labour-Lib Dem led council said: "When the Conservatives privatised bus services in 1986, everyone knew it would never work in sparsely populated areas like Cumbria, as the private operators would focus on urban areas where they could make a profit, but the Prime Minister promised he would sort all that out with a £3 billion funding pot.

"We need our MP's to be fighting Cumbria's corner and banging on Government's door to make them change their mind."

Conservative MP for Penrith and the Borders Neil Hudson said: "I was disappointed that Cumbria was not included in this recent tranche of bus funding. It is vital that Local Government works together with Central Government, bus providers and communities to increase these vital lifeline rural bus services. As part of my ‘Better Connectivity’ campaign I have been calling on the government to provide the necessary funds for improvements to services.

"I was therefore pleased last year to see that on top of the government’s £3 billion National Bus Strategy which will benefit areas like Cumbria, Cumbria County Council received an additional £1.5 million to enhance provision as part of the Rural Mobility Fund.

"I implore the council to use this, and other funds, to provide the best services possible. It is vital that they reverse their decision not to use Central Government funds to subsidise commercial services. I continue to raise these issues in the House of Commons and with ministers."