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23

Nov 2022

Last Updated: 23/11/2022
Transport
Transport

80 bus services in North Yorkshire under threat, says Harrogate district MP

by John Plummer

| 23 Nov, 2022
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At Prime Minister Questions today, Nigel Adams asked Rishi Sunak what action he is taking to ensure services continue to operate in North Yorkshire.

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A Conservative MP whose constituency includes parts of the Harrogate district has said 80 bus services in North Yorkshire are under threat.

Nigel Adams, who represents Selby and Ainsty, revealed the number during Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament today.

Mr Adams, whose constituency includes Spofforth and Follifoot, told Rishi Sunak that last month bus operator Arriva stopped the only bus between Selby and Doncaster, leaving 40 Selby College students having to find alternative transport at short notice.

He added:

"Additionally across North Yorkshire about 80 other bus services are now under threat.
"Can he advise what action he will take to ensure that essential bus services are not withdrawn at short notice and ensure that these continue to be operated across Selby district and wider North Yorkshire?".


Mr Adams said fellow North Yorkshire MP Mr Sunak, who represents Richmond, knew how "crucial" bus services were.



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The Prime Minister replied:

"I'm pleased that the Chancellor has allocated funding for extra bus services across the country and I look forward to working with him (Mr Adams) to ensure that the money finds its way to rural areas like North Yorkshire to provide the connectivity that's so important for people to have opportunity and get access to public services."


Buses on a cliff edge?


Today's comments by Mr Adams will fuel concerns about the future of many rural bus services in the Harrogate district.

Last week Cllr Keane Duncan, executive member for highways and transportation at North Yorkshire County Council, said the county’s bus network was “facing a really grave situation”.

He added:

“The message across the county is use it or lose it. We need people to support these services.”


Liberal Democrat councillor for Pateley Bridge, Andrew Murday, said residents of his division faced having just two services a day to Harrogate.

He said:

“We just have to do something about bus services, and encourage more people onto buses. We need to know how we are going to go about discouraging people from driving and encouraging people on to buses, so bus services can thrive.”


Seven months ago the government rejected the council's bid for a £116m share of Boris Johnson’s high-profile Bus Back Better initiative, saying the local authority’s plans lacked ambition.