A major expansion of bus services in north and West Cumbria has been agreed.
Cumberland Council has today approved plans to commission the expansion of local bus services, backed by £3.5 million in Government funding through the Bus Services Improvement Plan.
The decision, made by Cumberland Council’s Highways & Transport Strategic Board, aims to deliver new and enhanced routes across the region, targeting areas where services are currently limited or commercially unviable.
The plans follow engagement with residents and stakeholders to understand local travel needs, such as preferred destinations, frequencies, and service times.
Cumberland Council said all proposals were carefully assessed to ensure maximum public benefit and value for money.
The delivery of the proposed enhancements will be subject to operators submitting a tender to run the services.
Proposed new and enhanced services include:
- Carlisle to Anthorn – Addition of peak journeys and a new Sunday service.
- Kirkbride to Carlisle – The reinstatement of a previous service including enhanced links for Cargo, Houghton, Rockcliffe and Currock Community Centre.
- Whitehaven to Ravenglass – New service connecting coastal communities.
- Carlisle to Cockermouth – Upgrade to hourly service supporting express link between Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital and providing communities with better access to employment opportunities at Lillyhall.
- Cockermouth – Lillyhall – Distington – West Cumberland Hospital – New service to support the express link between Cumberland Infirmary and West Cumberland Hospital and providing communities with better access to employment opportunities at Lillyhall.
- Carlisle to Hadrian’s Wall – A tourism and rural connectivity boost.
- Cockermouth Town Buses – Return of local town service.
- Bootle – Millom via Ravenglass – New service connecting via Ravenglass including more connectivity for the M1 Millom.
- Cockermouth to Maryport – Service enhancements that includes peak journeys between Cockermouth and Maryport and a new Maryport and Dearham town service.
- Whitehaven Town Loop – New North Eastern loop from Whitehaven Town Centre including Moresby Parks, Harras Moor and improved 22 service connecting Cleator, Cleator Moor, Egremont and West Cumberland Hospital.
- Carlisle – Longtown – Penton – Expanded rural coverage.
- Carlisle Durranhill/Carleton – New route serving Locke Road Surgery and Garlands.
- Wetheral – Carlisle – Dalston – Enhanced frequency.
- Frizington to Cockermouth / Workington – Return of a previous service.
- Continuation of services introduced in November 2024, including:
- Silloth – Maryport
- Maryport – Egremont – Thornhill
- Maryport – Cleator Moor – Frizington
- Workington – Carlisle
The authority said it has also allowed it to develop new services that would be delivered as future funding became available.
Councillor Denise Rollo, executive member for sustainable, resilient and connected places, said: “I am delighted that the Highways Strategic Board endorsed this procurement.
“Cumberland Council and its officers have worked exceptionally hard to get us to this point engaging closely with both the public and transport operators to understand their needs and ideas.
“This is the next step in building a better future for public transport in Cumberland, one that directly reflects what our communities have told us they want.
“This investment will enable us to deliver a more reliable, accessible, and sustainable bus network, connecting people to essential services and opportunities.
“It also supports our carbon reduction goals and encourages healthier lifestyles by providing real alternatives to car travel.
“While not all services may attract tenders, given market constraints such as vehicle and driver availability, Cumberland Council is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for residents within the available funding.”
Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven & Workington, said the decision by Cumberland Council was the biggest boost to bus services in West Cumbria in a generation.
He said: “The routes the council has agreed to support will connect many more towns and villages across our area to the public transport network, some of which haven’t seen a bus in years.
“Thousands more people will be able to hop on a bus to get to work or college, visit friends and family, do some shopping or enjoy leisure activities, combating loneliness and isolation and boosting our local economy.
“I want to thank the council for working so constructively with elected representatives and listening to communities about their needs in coming up with these proposals. This shows the great strength of national and local government, MPs and local councillors, working together with a shared goal for the benefit of the communities we represent.
“What we now need is for private operators to step up and bid to run these services.
“We can’t have a situation where the community wants a service, the government and council agree to fund the service, but operators don’t then step up to deliver it.
“I’ll be writing to bus operators calling on them to step up and writing to the communities set to benefit urging them to Back the Bus and commit to using the new services to make them sustainable for the long term.”
