Cuts to bus routes must be reversed

THE Trent No 90 buses used to provide an excellent service between Belper, Holbrook and Derby, including evenings and Sundays.

In the past 25 years, the service has gradually been cut back. With a change in name to 7:1 and 7:2, it became unsuitable for anyone in Holbrook depending on it for work or for recreation in the evenings or on Sundays. It did, however, provide a service for two of Belper’s districts. Trent found it difficult to maintain a reliable service.

When Notts and Derby took over the service, again with a slight change of name, it became more reliable. But like many bus services the number of people using it has been severely hit by Covid. We are told that it is to be withdrawn after Christmas Eve. Holbrook will be left only with an infrequent 138 service to Belper (I do not knock the 138 - it is a useful service) and none at all to Derby.

This is not the only reason why passenger numbers are low. Taking inflation into account, using a car is no more expensive that it was in 2010 when the Conservatives came into power. Trains are about 35% more expensive. And buses are 70% more. This is not unconnected with the privatisation of bus services.

No wonder that many people choose not to use them. Not only is it unfair to those who are not well off but it militates against our country’s professed green ambitions.

The route runs through the Mid-Derbyshire constituency (Pauline Latham) and Amber Valley (Nigel Mills).

I would ask both of these MPs to help reverse this decision, and quickly, as people need to know where they stand right now.

John Morrissey, Belper