Wiltshire Council cuts funding for bus to Hungerford from Ramsbury/Aldbourne

[whole diary]

[eightonedee]

I don't know how many picked up this on their local BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) news feed - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-66008126

I can see how a service that runs out of the county, and probably benefits shops and businesses in Newbury and Reading more than any in Wiltshire ends up being selected for a cut, but a shame for those affected.

Perhaps some enterprising person or group might want to follow the example of Going Forward Buses in Goring (see www.goingforwardbuses.com) to fill the gap?

[bobm]

Although less convenient there are four buses each way between Hungerford and Marlborough on a Saturday. At Marlborough you can change to one of the three routes that go to Swindon.

[bobm]

Interesting article in RouteONE

https://www.route-one.net/news/socially-necessary-bus-services-position-clarified-by-dft/

The government will consider statutorily requiring socially and economically necessary bus services in England outside London if “more comprehensive” such provision is not achieved between operators and local authorities (LAs) through Bus Service Improvement Plan work.

Its position is outlined in a response to the Implementation of the National Bus Strategy report. That report was published by the Transport Committee on 30 March and the government’s response came in June.

[Electric train]

Slough BC (a Unitary Authority) cut its funding on the busses between Heathrow and Maidenhead, now the Heathrow busses terminate in Burnham / Cippenham I expect there are many other examples around the country where councils have had the budgets squeezed by central government so look to make savings where they can

[grahame]

Slough BC (a Unitary Authority) cut its funding on the busses between Heathrow and Maidenhead, now the Heathrow busses terminate in Burnham / Cippenham I expect there are many other examples around the country where councils have had the budgets squeezed by central government so look to make savings where they can

There are significant cross-boundary issues in many places; in Wiltshire - where this post originated - I have just come out of a bus meeting; the Hungerford bus did not come up, but certainly the issues of services that operate between local transport authorities and some of the resulting challenges did.  Whilst it was a Wiltshire meeting, delighted that in was also attended and there were useful contributions from Swindon, WECA^» (West of England Combined Authority - about) and Somerset that I noted, and from operators including Stagecoach addressing (other) cross boundary services.

Having lunch in Trowbridge ... home to do a fuller report later!

[ChrisB]

Slough BC (a Unitary Authority) cut its funding on the busses between Heathrow and Maidenhead, now the Heathrow busses terminate in Burnham / Cippenham I expect there are many other examples around the country where councils have had the budgets squeezed by central government so look to make savings where they can

Good reason - didn't Slough declare they were bankrupt per se? Meaning they could only run services that they have to run as laid down in law? (ditto Woking now too)