Action to save the Number 11 Bishopthorpe – Ashley Park bus service
August 21, 2022
Julian shares the concerns of residents after it emerged that the vital local bus service between Bishopthorpe and Ashley Park via South Bank and the city centre was at risk of being cut.
While discussions between City of York Council and the operator First York are still ongoing, fears have been raised over a proposed amended route which will stop at the outskirts of the city, missing out the village of Bishopthorpe.
Were this change to go ahead it would severely restrict the public transport options available to residents in Bishopthorpe, increase congestion by necessitating car travel into the city centre and isolate those who are unable to travel by car.
While Julian appreciates that bus services are regularly reviewed, it is disappointing that this news comes just after bus companies will receive £130 million to protect services and routes which have become particularly vital to people facing rising cost of living pressures. The funds will cover the period from October 2022 to March 2023 and will bring the total funding made available to bus services during the pandemic up to £2bn.
With this in mind, Julian has requested an urgent meeting with First York and City of York Council to ask for urgent clarification on this issue in order to provide much needed certainty for local residents. He has also written to local residents to explain how I plan to take this campaign forward and he will be out in person over the Bank Holiday weekend talking to residents and circulating a petition which hopefully will show the strength of feeling locally on this issue.
In addition, Julian encourages all constituents to fill out the council’s ongoing bus survey which is currently open online (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/EnhancedBusPartnership).
This allows you to have your say as how the council spends £17.3 million that has been awarded to it by the Department for Transport to deliver its Bus Service Improvement Plan. It is concerning that none of this substantial funding is set to be invested in rural bus services around York and residents should make clear to the council that this should be a priority.
