Reprieve for threatened bus service

A THREATENED service which is a lifeline for many of its passengers has been saved at least until June.

Leicestershire County Council has stepped in with £36,000 to keep the 159 service between Hinckley and Coalville running until June. Councillors will then make a decision about the future of the route.

The service was under threat when bosses at operator Coalville based Roberts coaches announced plans cut the route.

Among those who rely on it is Carol Bailey, retired, from Barlestone, who relies on the service to travel to hospital appointments and get togethers with friends in Hinckley.

She said: “I don’t drive and it stops at the end of my road so it’s a way of getting out of the house. It’s a well used service and affects a lot of people.”

Councillor Blake Pain, Leicester- shire County Council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We have stepped in and have committed to subsidise the service 159 for bus users in Hinckley and Coalville, following the commercial decision taken by Roberts Coaches to withdraw it. We have assessed the service against our passenger transport policy and have agreed to subsidise the service, at a cost of approximately £36,000, until June. This will allow for a further assessment of this service, which is in line with what we are doing with all of our current subsidised services.

“This type of scenario is one which the council is often faced with when bus operators withdraw services, and our recently-agreed passenger transport policy and strategy will help us to decide how we will cost effectively meet essential travel needs in areas where the commer- cial market does not operate.”

The service stops at Hugglescote, Ellistown, Ibstock, Barlestone, Newbold Verdon, Market Bosworth, Stapleton and Barwell on its journey between Coalville and Hinckley.

Earlier this year Leicestershire County Council ran a consultation on possible cuts to a host of bus services run by commercial operators but subsidised by the council.

Councillor Joyce Crooks, chair of Newbold Parish Council, said: “This is very positive news.

“However we want to see the 159 saved permanently and we want Arriva to drop their plans to cut the 153 service.”

Councillor Bill Crooks said: “Many villages have lost their post offices, their pubs and other facilities.

“Losing bus services would mean yet more facilities being lost from the rural areas.”