An MP has cut the ribbon on his constituency’s newest college bus service.

Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border, led the fight to secure this service for the young folk of Alston Moor.

Dr Hudon welcomed the new bus route taking children from the Moor to New College Durham.

Taking its first passengers this term, the Weardale Travel service is giving 16-18 year olds from Alston Moor their first and only service dedicated to accessing training and education.

Dr Hudsn has worked with headteacher Gill Jackson and Eden District Council, who have agreed to earmark the funding to make this initiative a reality.

Part of the MP’s campaign to make post-16 education accessible for all, he launched a petition asking local councillors and the national Government to work together towards a solution for rural young people.

With more than 1,000 signatures, the Alston bus is a real win.

One youngster benefitting from the new bus is Hannah, who completed Year 11 at Samuel King's School in Alston.

Before the service was announced she was looking at going to college in Carlisle because it is closer to Alston Moor, however, admitted she would have been unable to get there every day due to a lack of transport.

But now she is signed up for the qualification with New College Durham, Hannah is one step closer to her ambition of becoming an electrician. 

Hannah said: “It’s a good opportunity for everyone around here because we don’t really have transport to anywhere else.”

Her classmate, Emma, was faced with a similar conundrum.

She added: “I’ve always wanted to do A Levels, but before the new bus I only had one choice and that was only if there was a place on the [existing] bus so I wasn’t guaranteed to get there anyway.

“So now that the bus is running, I’m guaranteed a place.”

Dr Hudson said: “This is great progress for families in Alston Moor, but I know we need to do more there and elsewhere, but hopefully this is only the first step towards providing affordable, sustainable, and fair post-16 transport for young people living in rural areas across the country.

“Poor transport links can be a roadblock to accessing education no longer.”

An MP has cut the ribbon on his constituency’s newest college bus service.

Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border, led the fight to secure this service for the young folk of Alston Moor.

Dr Hudon welcomed the new bus route taking children from the Moor to New College Durham.

Taking its first passengers this term, the Weardale Travel service is giving 16-18 year olds from Alston Moor their first and only service dedicated to accessing training and education.

Dr Hudsn has worked with headteacher Gill Jackson and Eden District Council, who have agreed to earmark the funding to make this initiative a reality.

Part of the MP’s campaign to make post-16 education accessible for all, he launched a petition asking local councillors and the national Government to work together towards a solution for rural young people.

With more than 1,000 signatures, the Alston bus is a real win.

One youngster benefitting from the new bus is Hannah, who completed Year 11 at Samuel King's School in Alston.

Before the service was announced she was looking at going to college in Carlisle because it is closer to Alston Moor, however, admitted she would have been unable to get there every day due to a lack of transport.

But now she is signed up for the qualification with New College Durham, Hannah is one step closer to her ambition of becoming an electrician. 

Hannah said: “It’s a good opportunity for everyone around here because we don’t really have transport to anywhere else.”

Her classmate, Emma, was faced with a similar conundrum.

She added: “I’ve always wanted to do A Levels, but before the new bus I only had one choice and that was only if there was a place on the [existing] bus so I wasn’t guaranteed to get there anyway.

“So now that the bus is running, I’m guaranteed a place.”

Dr Hudson said: “This is great progress for families in Alston Moor, but I know we need to do more there and elsewhere, but hopefully this is only the first step towards providing affordable, sustainable, and fair post-16 transport for young people living in rural areas across the country.

“Poor transport links can be a roadblock to accessing education no longer.”

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