A £1.7 million fund to increase bus services across part of Cumbria has been revealed.
The Department for Transport has awarded Westmorland and Furness Council the cash from the Bus Service Improvement Plan Plus scheme to enhance services across the area in 2024/25.
The authority is launching a consultation offering residents, businesses and visitors the opportunity to help shape spending plans.
Work has already started to devise a list of 35 suggested bus routes the money could fund and the consultation offers the opportunity for people to comment on the routes.
Councillor Neil Hughes, cabinet member for transport and environmental services, said: “The £1.7 million funding awarded to our council, supports us in taking a significant step towards enhancing bus provision across Westmorland and Furness.
“Living in a rural area like ours, providing more frequent, enhanced services will open the door for our residents and visitors to choose bus as their preferred way to travel and create more enjoyable, sustainable journeys for all.
“It is the Council’s ambition to allocate the funding towards creating a network of well-supported bus services that moves us closer towards achieving our net-zero ambitions. We recognise that in order to do so, supported routes must meet the needs of communities and visitors across the area.
“I encourage you to take part in our consultation, whether you currently use bus transport or you aspire to, to make sure we get the most out of every pound that we spend.”
Six drop-in sessions have been arranged next month from 10am to 2pm on the following dates:
- Thursday April 4 – Penrith Library
- Wednesday April 10 – Westmorland Shopping Centre, Kendal
- Thursday April 11 – Grange Library
- Thursday April 25 – The Coronation Hall, Ulverston
- Friday April 26 – The Forum, Barrow
For those that are unable to attend during the day, an online event has been arranged on Wednesday 24 April from 6pm to 7pm. To receive a link to join, email media@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
The council is also exploring the possibility of holding additional public meetings at locations across the area.
Paper copies of the survey will be available to complete at Westmorland and Furness Council Libraries in Barrow, Grange, Kendal and Penrith from Monday, March 25 until the end of the consultation period on Tuesday April 30.
