As with digital connectivity, the South West has for too long been behind many areas of the UK in terms of transport connectivity.
Our rural bus routes are at risk, trains are often delayed, potholes are a problem, and walking and cycling are often dangerous on single-track roads.
I welcome the Government’s funding announcements surrounding bus routes, namely the Rural Mobility Fund, and I am working with local councils and bus companies to ensure that Totnes and South Devon gets its fair share of any funding available.
I am working to ensure that all communities are served with a bus route and I have a ‘bus strategy’ for the area. I am always grateful for further ideas on bus routes residents feel are lacking.
My focus currently is the provision in Brixham and Dartmouth; however, this is an ever-evolving campaign.
To date I have:
- Met with the Minister for Buses to highlight the issues in Totnes and South Devon
- Had meetings with Country Bus, Stagecoach and Tally Ho to discuss future bus routes
- Asked regular Written and Oral Parliamentary Questions on Rural Transport Routes
- Ensured the extension of the number 15 and 16 bus in Brixham until March 2022. I will keep pushing to find a long-term solution to keep these buses running without the need for regular review and intervention.
- Launched a bus strategy survey to gauge local use and perception of services in Totnes and South Devon, which will be used to ensure that we are able to improve our local transport network following the announcement of the National Bus Strategy.
