Declares that, as a result of the loss of the 236 bus, Glossop has no connection and no direct bus route to Tameside Hospital and Ashton College.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to note this loss and, in light of the recent outcome of the Judicial Review into bus franchising in Greater Manchester, urge Derbyshire County Council and Transport for Greater Manchester to work together to restore the 236 bus service.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Robert Largan, Official Report, Tuesday 15 March 2022; Vol. 710, c. 862.]
[P002718]
Observation from Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport):
Our National Bus Strategy asked that all English Local Transport Authorities outside London publish Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs) by 31 October 2021, setting out local visions for the step change in bus services that is needed, driven by what passengers and would-be passengers want.
We have been clear that Enhanced Partnerships or franchising arrangements must deliver more comprehensive services, including those which are socially or economically necessary, to drive forward the Government’s levelling-up agenda. We recognise that increased bus usage will strengthen communities, sustain town centres and connect those who are isolated. Decisions for subsidised bus services are a matter for individual English local authorities, in light of their other spending priorities, and the 236 bus service is therefore a matter for Derbyshire County Council and Transport for Greater Manchester. We believe these decisions are best taken locally.
At the Budget we announced £1.2 billion of new dedicated funding for BSIPs, part of £3 billion of new spend on buses over this Parliament.