Council still hopeful rural bus service can be revived post-covid

A NEW rural bus service is still being planned – subject to coronavirus restrictions being lifted.

In 2018, Staffordshire County Council cut bus subsidies – leaving many rural communities isolated with no service at all.

One of the major casualties was the Leek to Cheadle route, which runs through several rural communities including Bottomhouse, Ipstones, Froghall, Foxt, Whiston and Kingsley Holt.

But now the future of the proposed service is the topic of conversation.

Following the cuts, the leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Sybil Ralphs, held talks with several parish councils about what bus services communities would like, and at what times and destinations.

This would enable rural villages some access to public transport and also help to bring in more footfall to help support businesses in Leek and Cheadle.

The future of the proposed service was again discussed at the last meeting of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s resources overview and scrutiny panel.

In a question to the council leader, Councillor Charlotte Atkins said: “Which budget is being used to fund the leader’s rural bus initiative? How much has been allocated for this project?

“What funding is available for other such pilot projects, and how has this budget been used over each of the last five years?

In reply, Councillor Ralphs said: “A specific budget for the pilot was originally going to be assigned from the 2019/20 underspend. However, Covid-19 happened and obviously other priorities took over in the interim.

“Rural bus provision remains a priority of the council, and therefore costings will be assessed and budget assigned as part of the 2020/21 budget setting process.

“Other pilot projects can be considered based on the outcomes they provide with regard to Corporate Plan ambitions and within the limitations of the council’s financial plans.”

In a supplementary question, Councillor Atkins asked how much had been used over the last five years for pilot projects by the council.

Councillor Ralphs added: “We were looking at £25,000 for the rural bus project for 12 months. All the information was available, but Covid-19 stopped it. I am not aware that there have been any applications for projects, which is open to all members.”

Councillor Atkins said: “This funding was coming from underspend at the council, but now there is now a £106,000 overspend at the council. So what is the future of the project?

“Biddulph Town Council pays £35,000 for a circular bus route, so £25,000 is low for a rural project.”

Councillor Ralphs said: “The bus company kept it low, which we should appreciate. It was for just 12 months to see if it was viable.

“It was use it or lose it in the rural areas to see if it worked. We will now have to see if we can go ahead because of Covid-19.”