Today, I was delighted to welcome the Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, to Newcastle-under-Lyme to discuss, amongst other transport issues, the reduction in First Bus' number 4 service from 2nd July. These changes mean that people living in Wood Lane trying to get to work, school and college will be left high and dry, with no bus service before 9.15am. Constituents were telling me they would have to give up their jobs or move their children to a different school.
In response to the announcement last week, I have been working flat out to help all those who rely on this service.
On Thursday I raised this issue in the House of Commons, where the Leader of the House, Penny Mordaunt, agreed that more consultation should be carried out before any changes to bus routes are implemented. The following day I had a meeting with the Managing Director of First Bus Potteries to challenge the decision, voice my strong disapproval over the lack of notice for customers, and look into whether it would be possible to postpone the changes until alternative arrangements could be put in place that help local residents.
In the meantime, I have also been working with Staffordshire County Council to discuss what we can do to support this route to ensure local residents who rely on the bus are not cut-off.
Finally, I invited the Transport Secretary to Newcastle to discuss these changes and what support Government can provide to affected communities.
I am delighted to confirm that, following discussions, the D&G Bus route 1A will now run two additional morning services from Wood Lane via Audley. These will depart at 7:09am and 8:09am, allowing children to still get to school and people to get to work. These services have been part-funded by Staffordshire County Council, whom I thank for their rapid engagement.
I do appreciate that the 1A takes a different route into town so this will not be an ideal solution for everyone.
Thank you to all the local residents who have got in touch with me on this important issue and those who have filled out my survey. I will continue to press Ministers to ensure that in future residents are consulted in plenty of time before any changes are made, so please add your comments to my survey to add weight to my statements in Parliament.