Cumberland
In relation to the first phase of BSIP Plus funding, officers undertook initial discussions with operators to develop a list of potential outcomes, with suggestions being shared with elected members through the Council's Community Panels to seek views and further suggestions.
Following the engagement with Community Panels the Council is now going through a tender process and it is expected that the services will be in place by mid to late Summer.
The focus for the funding will be to pump prime services that will then have a reasonable chance of being commercially viable without subsidy, this will include: -
- Re-introduction of withdrawn routes from Frizington to Cockermouth and Workington; Silloth to Maryport; Millom to Haverigg and from Rockcliffe and Blackwell to Carlisle.
- Expansion of services between Carlisle and Workington, and on Sundays between Maryport and Whitehaven.
- To restore frequent services from Wetheral and Dalston to Carlisle.
- Introduction of later evening and Sunday services on routes from Silloth and Cockermouth to Carlisle.
- Better links to the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven and the Lillyhall trading estate between Workington and Whitehaven.
As part of the second phase of BSIP Plus funding it is the Council’s intention to explore how it can provide ‘sustainable bus services’ in rural areas, which may include further exploration of ‘on demand’ transport. This will include a review of the Council’s own fleet and the exploration of service integration.
The Council has developed a Communication Plan for the BSIP Plus funding and is undertaking the following activities over the summer period:
- Continued engagement with Community Panels
- Drop in events
- Online survey / social media
- Continued engagement with stakeholders and operators
The Council is committed to beginning the delivery of the On Demand Transport Rural Mobility Fund pilot in Wigton and Egremont / St Bees.