MP celebrates success in bus campaign

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has praised Liberal Democrat campaigners, and local bus company Stagecoach for stepping in to provide bus services to Levens, Sedgwick and Natland after cuts by the Conservative-led county council.

Despite receiving an extra £288,000 towards local bus services from the Government, the Tory-led council cut the lifeline to Levens, Sedgwick and Natland by pulling funding from the 550 and 552 routes.

Following a campaign run by community groups in the three villages, and local Liberal Democrat campaigners Mary Orr, Brenda Gray and Geoff Cook, Stagecoach have agreed to step in and keep a service going.

Stagecoach will now divert their 530 service from Cartmel to Kendal via Levens, which will allow them to run the 552 service from Arnside to Kendal via Sedgwick and Natland.

Tim said: "I'm really pleased that Stagecoach have agreed to step in and provide these services. They will provide a vital lifeline for local communities which have been let down by the Conservative-led county council."

Chair of the South Lakes Local Committee of the county council, Lib Dem councillor Geoff Cook, said: "It's great that we've got these new services, but as Stagecoach are providing them commercially, residents should remember the old adage - use it or lose it!"