CARLISLE MP John Stevenson has criticised Cumbria County Council for how they have tackled funding when it comes to bus provision for the area.

His comments come after Stagecoach announced a list of Carlisle network changes which are set to be implemented from June 20, of which include timetable updates, reduced frequencies, route alterations and in some instances a service being completely axed. 

MP John Stevenson said: "It is self evident that that Cumbria County Council are not supporting the bus services that we would like to see.”

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The MP wrote to the Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Minister for Roads, Buses and Places about problems that the constituency is facing with the cutting of bus services in many places back in March.

The Baroness Vere of Norbiton confirmed that Cumbria County Council received funding of £94,957 in one period of the Covid-19 bus support grant scheme, with the only requested funding falling between 19 January and March 15 2021; with no funding claimed in other periods.

Mr Stevenson's concerns have been echoed by Workington MP Mark Jenskison who has slammed the council’s lack of action on the matter.

Mr Jenkinson said: "Cumbria County Council have refused central government bus funding that would have just about saved every bus service that Stagecoach are having to cut back in the Workington constituency because CCC already *refuse* to spend bus funding on local services.

“I am disappointed that Cumbria County Council continues to consciously refuse to fund bus services fully using this grant, and indeed also have significant multi-million pound in-year underspends that could be used to fund proper, sustainable local transport services.

"I hope that the new Cumberland Authority will assume a more pro-active role in supporting and building local bus services,” he said.

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Customers using the 76 Service at Botcherby and Durranhill will now be using Service 63, with it now running through Morton West and Sandsfield Park rather than St Anns Hill - with those in St Anns Hill being provided by service 62. 

At Morton Park, buses will now use Levens Drive instead of Newlaithe's Avenue and those in Morton West will no longer be served by the service.

The new service 63 on the route means that customers on Orton Road will have to walk to Queensway or Crosshill Drive to catch a bus. 

Similarly, with the service 62, buses in Morton Park will no longer serve Bannisdale Way, Ashness Drive, Lyndhurst Gardens, Westrigg Road. Patrons using these stops will now have to walk to stops on Levens Drive or Westrigg Road to catch 61 service. 

On the service 400, buses to and from Durdar, Blackwell and Lediard Avenue will no longer run. 

Those using Longtown, Gretna, Annan and Dumfries services will face changes as it will no longer be possible to travel direct from Longtown to Houghton except at peak times. 

Cumbria County Council were yesterday approached for comment but had not replied by the time the News & Star went to press. 

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