Big step forward in MP’s campaign as council announce funding to restore Sedbergh bus service

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has warmly welcomed the news that Westmorland and Furness Council have announced funding to bring back the bus service from Sedbergh to Kendal.

The service ended back in July after the operator said it was no longer financially viable to operate.

Tim launched a petition calling for the service to be saved and raised the issue in the House of Commons with Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove.

The announcement is part of over £400,000 of funding from Westmorland and Furness Council to support bus routes which have been withdrawn or reduced within the past five years in areas where they are most needed to ensure communities are reconnected and access to public transport services restored.

The restored services (subject to confirmation after going out to tender) are:

•         Kendal Town (Service 40): Retain Sunday service when funding expires

•         Penrith – North Lakes School (2): Restore the afternoon service

•         Sedbergh – Kendal (564): Restore Monday to Friday service

•         Penrith – Carlisle (104): Restore half-hourly  service (currently hourly).

•         Windermere Town (597): Restore Friday service (currently Tuesday and Thursday only)

•         Kendal – Penrith (106): Restore Wednesday service (currently Tuesday and Friday only)

•         Alston – Carlisle (680): Restore twice a week service

•         Grange – Cartmel Circular (532): Restore local service three days a week

•         Arnside – Kendal (552): Restore Tuesday; Thursday; Saturday service. Currently three days a week

•         Appleby – Kendal (561): Restore Wednesday service

Tim said: “It’s absolutely fantastic news that our local Lib Dem council have announced this funding to bring back a range of bus services across our area including the service we recently lost in Sedbergh.

“Local bus services are pivotal to boosting our economy, tackling rural isolation as well as reducing carbon emissions and congestion.

“When these services get back up and running it’s so important that local people use them otherwise we will lose them.”