During the Third Reading of the Taxis and Private Hire Vehicles (Disabled Persons) Bill, Dr Neil Hudson MP highlighted the importance of taxis and private hire vehicles in Cumbria and urged for ‘joined-up thinking’ from central and local government to adequately fund rural bus services, re-open Gilsland station and extend the Borders railway down to Carlisle through Longtown and respond to the challenge of local government restructuring in Cumbria.
Dr Hudson particularly expressed his concern with cuts to rural bus services as a result of Cumbria County Council’s decision to stop using central Government subsidies in 2014.
During his speech, Dr Neil Hudson said:
“Sadly, in 2014, Cumbria County Council took the retrograde decision to stop using central Government moneys to subsidise rural bus routes and, accordingly, some routes had to close as they were not financially viable. I urge local and central Government to ensure connectivity by working hard together and using moneys sensibly.”
“I have been campaigning for the reopening of Gilsland station and for the extension of the Borders railway from the borders down through Longtown in my constituency and on to Carlisle. I urge the Government to work with local government to ensure that our rural bus network is improved, bolstered and supported and that the train network is supported as well.”
“In Cumbria, we face radical local government restructuring to create two new unitary authorities. I have said many times that I am passionately against the restructuring, which is the last thing that a huge county such as Cumbria needs, and it is the worst possible time to be changing everything as we come out of a pandemic. That said, we are where we are and we need to make it work, but there will be pressures on the Cumbrian system to institute such changes.”
Speaking after the debate, Dr Hudson added:
“Through my Better Connectivity campaign, it has been one of my highest priorities to support better access to transport in the rural communities I represent, which are a vital lifeline for the health and wellbeing of my constituents.
This Conservative Government has shown great ambition, including a welcome £3million in bus service funding for Cumbria County Council announced last year, but the freedom transport provides can only be guaranteed when Central and Local Government work collaboratively.”
