Cumbrian bus route is saved
The service between Bowness-on-Solway and Carlisle had been threatened with the axe
Allerdale Borough Council and Carlisle City Council have come up with a plan to save the 93/93A bus service between Bowness-on-Solway and Carlisle.
It was recently announced that the service would no longer run after an overhaul of timetables in the area was carried out by the operator Stagecoach.
However, the two district councils have stepped in to help subsidise the service for the next twelve months to help keep it alive, with each council providing £6k towards the costs.
The move comes after local residents voiced concerns about the axing of the services, particularly by those without their own transport.
Cllr Tony Markley, Allerdale Borough Council’s Executive member with responsibility for Leisure and Tourism who is also a local councillor, said: “I’m really pleased to see the two councils working together to help fund this service. This bus is crucial, not only to the local community to get to and from Carlisle and the villages along the route for shopping and appointments, but also to the many visitors who are attracted to this very special place.
“Whilst we don’t have a statutory responsibility to fund bus services, this support is all part of our desire to have thriving towns and villages in Allerdale as embodied in our Council Strategy.”
Cllr John Mallinson, Leader of Carlisle City Council, said: “I’m delighted we can work with colleagues at Allerdale to help support this bus service with what I hope will be a short-term measure to help the service get back to profitability. It is a vital service for many people living in our communities along the route. It is also crucial that we support our local visitor economy as we celebrate the 1900-year anniversary of the building of Hadrian’s Wall.”