We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country. But we are less fortunate when it comes to transport infrastructure.
I have been out and about delivering letters to residents of Brixham, Paignton and Dartmouth who have contacted me regarding their concern about bus routes being cancelled or reduced.
These services are an essential lifeline. From those living atop of hills, down winding lanes or in cul-de-sacs, these buses provide a necessary service that connects our communities.
I am liaising with Stagecoach and Country Bus, as well as speaking to Devon County Council & Torbay Council about how we can maintain AND improve our services.
Added to which I have written to Grant Shapps to make him aware of those proposed cancellations and to explore how we can introduce Demand Responsive Transport models to our local area. The £5bn worth of funding and the national bus strategy is an opportunity for us to build up our bus network not reduce it.
I have also asked the Secretary of State for transport 'what assessment he has made of the effect on rural communities of reductions in the level of rural bus services during the covid-19 outbreak'.
I was delighted to be reassured about the further £254 million to help increase bus services across England as quickly as possible as we begin to re-open our economy. This is in addition to the £397 million the Government announced on 3 April 2020 to keep England’s buses running to serve those who need to rely on them. In addition, the Government allowed local authorities to use the extra £30 million in 2020/21 to support essential bus services and provided £20 million through the Rural Mobility Fund to support demand responsive services in rural communities'.