MP calls on town hall to restore bus link
AN MP is urging council chiefs to use a slice of government funding to bring back a bus link into south Manchester.
The 130 from Macclesfield terminates in Handforth rather than East Didsbury following its revival by D&G Bus in January, after Arriva pulled the plug on it.
Cheshire East Council has now been given a £320,005 cash boost from the government to improve services in the borough, and says that money could support two six-day services for a year.
Esther McVey, MP for Tatton, wants to see some of that cash used to either restore the old 130 route in full or provide a service to another south Manchester stop where passengers can make connections into the city.
She said: “I have met with lots of users of the 130 route and heard how vital the service is to them.
“Having
lobbied on the issue, I was delighted when D&G took the service on between Macclesfield and Handforth as it is a vital link to the hospital, schools and work.
“I was equally pleased when the council agreed to subsidise the Saturday service. The missing link has been a service onto Parrs Wood.”
The council has already provided funding for the new 130, and it told Ms McVey last month that its subsidised bus budget was over-committed.
But with a new grant from the Department for Transport, Ms McVey is hopeful an improved bus link could be considered.
She added: “I put together comments and suggestions from all residents who contacted me and one of the recurrent suggestions was the possibility of linking up routes to ensure people can get where they want to.
“Having been told money was the problem I am asking the council to assure me that some of the £320,005 that has now been allocated by the Department of Transport will be spent delivering this service.”
The council is due to submit a statement of intent to government by Friday, March 13, outlining how the extra funds will be used.
Craig Browne, deputy council leader, said: “We welcome the additional funding and are assessing our local priorities, taking account of gaps in our current bus network.
“Comments from our constituency MPs will be fully considered.
“However, it should be stressed that the amount received may only fund the equivalent of two additional services for six days per week for a year.”