A local campaign group working to secure a dedicated bus service for the growing villages of Greystoke, Newbiggin, Motherby and the surrounding area has met with a local MP.

Dr Neil Hudson MP met with Greystoke Bus Action Group (GBAG) to support their work to reinstate a daily bus service after being without one for more than 10 years.

In December Westmorland and Furness Council held a tendering process to take advantage of the new bus funding Cumbria during the 2024/25 financial year.

Proposals were put forward for Greystoke, Newbiggin and Motherby to be included in the X4/X5 route from Penrith to Keswick operated by Stagecoach.

However, Stagecoach refused to include the villages in their route but were still awarded the contract.

Campaigners disagree with the reasoning provided by Stagecoach which included the additional time it would take the bus to divert the existing route, and that this may prove unattractive to those travelling between Penrith and Keswick.

Stagecoach have also stated that the villages are too small to generate the extra traffic needed.

The group have secured the signatures of 350 local residents, collected via online and physical means over a short two-week period, including signatures from many children from the area.

Pam Wood of the Greystoke Bus Action Group, said that the group will ‘continue to fight for a daily service’ and that Stagecoach’s reasoning was not ‘valid’.

Dr Neil Hudson MP said: "It is an incredibly regrettable situation that Greystoke has been overlooked in the planning of bus routes locally. With a growing population and burgeoning visitor sector, a daily bus service could unlock so much social, economic and wellbeing potential.

"I pay tribute to the incredible work of local connectivity campaigners. It is imperative we address the issue promptly and I look forward to working with the community, Westmorland & Furness Council and Stagecoach as we drive for solutions."

A spokesperson for Stagecoach said: “Stagecoach has been working closely with Westmorland and Furness Council who are the Local Transport Authority on their plans for the allocation of funding for subsidised bus services.

“The council has agreed to work in partnership with Stagecoach to provide a level of funding for the service to improve its frequency with the specific aim of helping the hospitality and tourism sector by providing ‘improved transport connectivity for workers’.

“The improved service will also allow for better connectivity with train services from Penrith Station.

READ MORE: Commemoration service held to mark international war animal day

“Whilst we recognise the importance of connecting communities such as Greystoke to local bus services, diverting the service would have had a negative impact on the vast majority of people who currently use the service by increasing the journey time between Penrith and Keswick.

“Stagecoach has been happy to work in partnership with the council around this objective, but the wider issue of the portion of funding allocated to reconnecting communities would be a matter for the authority to comment on with regard to its strategy and evaluation process to fulfil these aims, while maintaining best value for the public purse.”