The Humble Petition of residents of the Croyland area of Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, and the surrounding areas,
Sheweth,
That the proposed loss or reduction of public transport routes within the Croyland Ward of Wellingborough will significantly disadvantage local residents, in particular the elderly, disabled and young; and that the potential loss of the W3 bus service will leave many residents with no way of getting to the town centre.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House urges the Secretary of State for Transport to liaise with Northamptonshire County Council and the Borough Council of Wellingborough to find a resolution that will lead to the maintenance of an acceptable level of public transport in Croyland.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.—[Presented by Mr Peter Bone, Official Report, 5 April 2011; Vol. 526, c. 1016.]
[P000915]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:
The Government continue to provide significant funds for local bus services, in Wellingborough and elsewhere: through bus subsidy for operators, via the national concessionary travel entitlement, which was protected in the budget, and through general support for local authorities.
However, it is not the role of central Government to determine which non-commercial bus services should be supported by local transport authorities. These are decisions which must be made locally, in consultation with the public.
I recognise that local councils are making difficult decisions in the light of reductions in revenue support from central Government, but they have almost total discretion about which services to value when budgeting for the future. Certain councils, such as East Riding of Yorkshire Council, have taken the decision to protect bus services and to make efficiencies elsewhere instead.
In many areas, community transport can play a valuable role in preventing isolation amongst the young, elderly and disabled. I therefore strongly encourage local councils to work in partnership with operators and local communities to examine how more flexible services might be provided. To facilitate this, my Department recently announced a £10 million fund for community transport in rural areas. Northamptonshire County Council will receive a £209,995 share of this fund, as well as six days of consultancy resource from the Community Transport Association.