Dr Neil Hudson MP facilitated a roundtable meeting between Greystoke Bus Action Group, which is trying to better meet the needs of Greystoke and its surrounding villages with a regular bus route and bus operator Stagecoach and Westmorland and Furness Council.
Greystoke, Newbiggin and Motherby are growing villages with a host of amenities and businesses in the visitor sector that would hugely benefit from better physical connectivity. As such local resident group GBAG is campaigning for Stagecoach to extend its X4/X5 route, which already stops at nearby Penruddock, so they can reap the benefits of a regular bus route.
Westmorland and Furness Council has recently been the beneficiary of record levels of Conservative Government bus funding, and campaigners are keen to see that money put to good use and connect Greystoke, which has been without its own service for a decade and a half. Campaigners argue that both residents and tourists alike need this route in order to unlock the economic and social rewards a bus would bring.
A more comprehensive account of the issue is available here: https://www.neilhudson.org.uk/news/dr-neil-hudson-mp-supports-growing-villages-drive-secure-dedicated-bus-service
Dr Hudson is a keen supporter of the group and used his influence as a Member of Parliament to bring Stagecoach and the council to the table in order to find an equitable solution for residents. Campaigners were able to put forward their arguments in person and look forward to continued dialogue with the council and bus provider.
Pam Wood of Greystoke Bus Action Group said:
"We are grateful once again to Dr Hudson for his continued support in this matter. His intervention in convening and Chairing this really pivotal meeting meant that for the first time we were able to have an open dialogue with both the Managing Director and Strategic Director of Stagecoach (Cumbria and North Lancashire). We were able to put persuasive arguments forward but also to hear from them first hand the challenges this diversion might present.
"The Westmorland and Furness Council were able to tell us at the meeting that Greystoke had been strongly represented in the consultation exercise on bus routes that they have been running over the past two months and so we feel positive that funding for a regular service will now follow.
"Greystoke and local villages have been fighting so hard to have our voice heard, but we could not have raised our profile or held this meeting without Dr Hudson and his brilliant team's continued support. We are now feeling much more encouraged a funded bus service is in sight."
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
"The argument is incredibly clear and reasonable. With their growing population and blossoming tourism businesses, Greystoke and its surrounding settlements are prime candidates to receive a dedicated bus service.
"I'm so keen to make sure public transport works for local people, helping them get to appointments, stay connected and boost their economy. While we have not yet reached a solution with the council and Stagecoach I will keep pushing so that residents' voices are heard and we can get them connected."
