Funding to restore or improve bus routes and services in Westmorland and Furness has been awarded to the council.
Around £412,000 will be used to support routes which have been withdrawn or reduced within the past five years.
A further £178,885 is to be used to support access to employment opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sector to provide improved transport connectivity for workers.
In addition the council will receive £412,130 for 2024/25 and proposals for using this will be considered at a future meeting.
The improvement plan and funding was approved at today’s Highways and Transport Strategic Board.
The restored services (subject to confirmation after going out to tender) are:
- Kendal Town (Service 40): Retain Sunday service when funding expires
- Penrith – North Lakes School (2): Restore the afternoon service
- Sedbergh – Kendal (564): Restore Monday to Friday service
- Penrith – Carlisle (104): Restore half-hourly service (currently hourly).
- Windermere Town (597): Restore Friday service (currently Tuesday and Thursday only)
- Kendal –Penrith (106): Restore Wednesday service (currently Tuesday and Friday only)
- Alston – Carlisle (680): Restore twice a week service
- Grange – Cartmel Circular (532): Restore local service three days a week
- Arnside – Kendal (552): Restore Tuesday; Thursday; Saturday service. Currently three days a week
- Appleby – Kendal (561): Restore Wednesday service
Those improved services, also subject to confirmation after going out to tender, are:
- Barrow – Windermere (6): Extra buses at work times, evenings and Sundays
- Keswick – Penrith (X4/5): Increase frequency from every hour to every 30 minutes and offer an evening service Thursday to Sunday
Councillor Neil Hughes, deputy chairman of the board and cabinet member for transport and environmental services, said: “Buses play a vital role in our communities and are hugely important if we are to meet our net zero ambitions.
“An efficient public transport system enables our residents and visitors to access education, employment, services, visitor attractions and events, shopping, health, social and leisure opportunities.
“We shouldn’t underestimate the challenge we face in making public transport affordable, reliable, and sustainable.
“Many of the problems are caused by market failures and deregulation or the particular challenge of providing a viable transport network in sparsely populated areas where patronage is low, and working within increasingly limited budgets.
“Westmorland and Furness is England’s most sparsely populated local authority area, which in itself present challenges in terms of sustaining public transport, and connectivity.
“What we do know is that buses offer a lifeline for many of our residents, particularly those in more rural areas and those without access to a personal vehicle. For many people without access to a car, buses are the only way they can travel to health services, to shops and leisure, to places of work, to colleges and further education. Poor bus provision, particularly in rural areas can amplify social, economic and health inequality.
“This one-off grant funding will enable the council to implement some much-needed bus service improvement and support bus operators to provide essential bus services where there is an unmet need. This sends a strong message that we believe public transport is essential and we are willing to subsidise routes.”
