Bus Services (Hartlepool)

Iain Wright Excerpts

Monday 28th March 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Iain Wright (Hartlepool) (Lab)]

I rise to present a petition on behalf of my constituents who are concerned about the loss of bus services, particularly evening bus services and those on socially vital routes.

The petition states:

The Petition of residents of the borough of Hartlepool,

Declares that the petitioners are concerned that residents in areas of the borough such as The Headland and Burbank, as well as villagers in Dalton Piercy, Elwick and Greatham, have been left isolated and without transport following the decision of Hartlepool Borough council to cut public subsidy to private bus companies.

The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Secretary of State for Transport to work with the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, residents of the borough, Hartlepool Borough Council and bus operators immediately to reinstate the services and then to secure a financial settlement and a regulatory framework which provides a comprehensive, reliable and cheap system of bus transport in Hartlepool, designed to address the social and economic needs of passengers in both the urban and rural areas of the borough, rather than the narrow interests of private bus companies.

And the Petitioners remain, etc.

[P000909]