Tories to axe Wiltshire buses

Wiltshire Conservatives want to cut all subsidised bus services in the county. This would leave only the routes between main towns, which make a profit, in place. Villages across the county are likely to lose most of their buses. The council is performing one of its notorious 'consultations' on the cuts. Here's their announcement:

.........................................................................

Wiltshire Council is reviewing its Local Transport Plan (LTP) Public Transport Strategy and service delivery (i.e. Council supported bus services). The review is being undertaken because of continuing and growing pressures on the Council's budgets that mean that funding is no longer available to continue delivering supported bus services at the level that was envisaged when the LTP was published in 2011.

The review of the Public Transport Strategy is part of a wider review of all areas of Wiltshire Council's passenger transport remit (except rail and taxis). The wider review will include re-examining policy and spending in home-to-school and college transport, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) transport and social care client transport.

As a first stage in the review, a pre-consultation exercise was undertaken during July and August 2015 to provide key stakeholders and partners (e.g. town councils and bus operators) with an opportunity to shape the scope of the review.

We are now keen to hear the views of bus users, residents, stakeholders and other interested parties to help us shape a new Public Transport Strategy. The Council has made no decisions as yet and would like to see how far you agree or disagree with the options presented in the consultation questionnaire available from http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal/ltp/wiltshire_local_transport_plan_-_public_transport_strategy_review

From the above link you can also obtain further information on the review including a PDF version of the questionnaire together with other review documents (including Frequently Asked Questions).

Paper copies of the questionnaire are also available on request by telephoning 0300 456 0100. Copies of the questionnaire will also be available: on buses operating Wiltshire Council contracted services; in libraries; and in main Council offices.

Questionnaire and comments need to be submitted by 5pm on 4 April 2016.

The findings of the review and public consultation will be reported to the Council's Cabinet in the summer of 2016. It will then be necessary to develop detailed implementation proposals. The timescale for this will depend on the nature of the changes approved by Cabinet and the lead time necessary for their implementation.

................................................................................................................