Newmarket councillor welcomes return of bus routes but says “it’s not enough”
It's as 17 new bus routes will be coming to Suffolk.
New and improved bus services are being rolled out across Suffolk this month, but one Newmarket councillor says the fight for better transport is far from over.
Seventeen new or enhanced routes are being introduced between 31 August and mid-September, thanks to £2.8m of government funding for services and £5.3m for bus stops, stations and upgrades. Suffolk County Council says it marks the “biggest positive change to bus services across the county since 1998.”
Councillor Chris Chambers, Cabinet Member for Transport Strategy, Planning and Waste, said:
“I’m delighted to launch these new and improved routes for Suffolk in the coming weeks. We know that they will make a huge difference to local people, because they have all been suggested by Suffolk Communities. These changes represent the biggest positive change to bus services across the County since 1998 and, along with our previous route improvements, show our commitment to supporting local communities and the bus industry.”
"If you cut a town off from the wider community, the town will slowly die."
But Newmarket councillor Jan Jarvis, who has campaigned for the return of services in the town, says while it’s a step forward, it’s only part of the solution.
“I’m cautiously optimistic about this. I mean, we’ve had our transport system in Newmarket degraded over the last 15–20 years. Now, the basic facts are that if you cut a town off from the wider community, the town will slowly die.
"Everything depends on a good transport system, so I’m pleased it’s a step in the right direction. Is it enough? No, it isn’t. Quite frankly. But it’s getting there.”
"Vulnerable people were unable to access public services"
He said the loss of bus routes in the past left many residents isolated.
“When they took away our bus service in Newmarket, it left a large community stranded, left vulnerable people unable to access public services. There was a sense of panic and disenfranchisement, I suppose, amongst the community, and it was devastating.
"So I’m really glad we managed to bring them to the table."
Jarvis added that the investment comes after years of underfunding. The funding has also enabled the reintroduction of bus routes in areas where services were previously cut. Councillor Chambers said:
“As in the case of Newmarket and Marham Park, the grant has enabled us to reintroduce routes in areas which had been facing cancellation of their bus routes. We are very grateful to DfT for providing the funding to enable us to make a huge positive difference in improving transport links across our communities.”