Fears raised over axed rural bus
services

CAMPAIGNERS are claiming that many local people and visitors are set to be denied access to much of the Dales on Sundays and Bank Holidays following planned cuts to the public transport network in North Yorkshire.

The Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group say that once again budget cuts by local authorities are threatening the withdrawal of two bus services from Skipton providing access into the heart of the National Park.

For many years the DalesBus services have run every Sunday from Easter or May Day throughout the summer months linking Skipton with the Dales, providing a facility which is greatly valued by many people.

The services which will no longer be funded, and therefore face the axe, include:

• DalesBus 804, linking Skipton with Malham

• DalesBus 807, linking Skipton with Ribblehead, Hawes, Aysgarth and Leyburn

The cuts will leave Malhamdale with almost no Sunday and Bank Holiday bus services, denying access to the popular beauty spot for those without cars, or those who do not wish to add to pollution and congestion in the area by using their cars.

The group also add that local businesses in the Dales are expected to suffer as a result of the cuts, as bus passengers typically spend more per head in local shops, pubs and cafes than those arriving by car.

The services are being axed as a result of budget cuts by North Yorkshire County Council, which provides the majority of funding for the DalesBus network. The move follows a round of budget cuts last year, with a further reduction of nearly 20% being made to the leisure network in 2007/8.

Chairman of the Yorkshire Dales Public Transport Users Group, Howard Handley, is concerned at the potential impact of the cuts: "The DalesBus services provide the only possible means for many Craven residents to visit the Dales.

cutting public transport services to the National Park, in effect forcing visitors to use their cars, is the height of irresponsibility

Colin Speakman - Yorkshire Dales Society

"These services therefore provide an important part of our members' quality of life, particularly so for the more elderly, who enjoy the freedom to get out in the countryside which they would otherwise be unable to experience."

Concern at the cuts has also been expressed by the Yorkshire Dales Society. Colin Speakman, secretary of the society commented: "Following the recent Stern Report and the International Summit on Climate Change that both highlight the devastating environmental and economic consequences of global warming, cutting public transport services to the National Park, in effect forcing visitors to use their cars by reducing choice, is the height of irresponsibility."

• The Users Group is encouraging anyone who will be adversely affected by these cuts to contact their local councillor or Member of Parliament to let them know of their concerns.