Latest news with #public transport
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Cumberland Council approves expansion of local bus services
A major expansion of bus services has been approved, aimed at targeting areas where routes are currently limited or commercially Council said the move follows talks with residents and stakeholders to understand local travel by £3.5m in government funding through the Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP), the delivery of the proposed new services are subject to operators submitting a tender to run them, the local authority plans were backed by councillors at a Highways and Transport Strategic Board earlier. Labour councillor Denise Rollo said: "This is the next step in building a better future for public transport in Cumberland, one that directly reflects what our communities have told us they want."While not all services may attract tenders, given market constraints such as vehicle and driver availability, Cumberland Council is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for residents within the available funding." The proposed new or expanded services include:Carlisle to Anthorn - Addition of peak journeys and a new Sunday serviceKirkbride to Carlisle - The reinstatement of a previous service including enhanced links for Cargo, Houghton Rockcliffe and Currock Community CentreWhitehaven to Ravenglass - New serviceCarlisle to Cockermouth - Upgrade to hourly serviceCockermouth-Lillyhall-Distington - West Cumberland Hospital- New serviceCarlisle to Hadrian's Wall - New serviceCockermouth Town Buses - Return of the local town serviceBootle to Millom via Ravenglass - New serviceCockermouth to Mayport - Service enhancements that include peak journeys and a new Maryport and Dearham town serviceWhitehaven Town Loop - New north eastern loopCarlisle-Longtown-Penton - Expanded rural covergeCarlisle to Durranhill/Carleton - New route service Locke Road Surgery and GarlandsWetheral-Carlisle-Dalston - Greater frequencyFrizington to Cockermouth/Workington - Return of previous serviceThe plans also include the continuation of services introduced in November 2024, including:Silloth to MaryportMaryport-Egremont-ThornhillMaryport-Cleator Moor-FrizingtonWorkington to Carlisle Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Planners refuse permission for 650 new homes on outskirts of Bray
One of the country's largest construction firms has been refused planning permission for 650 new homes on the outskirts of Bray, Co Wicklow, on several grounds including uncertainty over public transport services and concern it would add to urban sprawl. An Coimisiún Pleanála rejected an application by Cosgrave Property Group for permission to construct 241 houses and 409 apartments plus a creche on a 78.5-hectare site off Berryfield Lane in the Fassaroe area of the north Wicklow town. Advertisement The plans also provided for a neighbourhood centre, a new 2.4-kilometre road connecting the N11 to Ballyman Road, a new pedestrian and cycle route including bridge between the N11 and Dargle Road Upper as well as 15.3 hectares of a district park and open spaces which would include a shop and café kiosk. Most of the site, which is located to the west of the N11/M11 Dublin-Wexford route, is currently in agricultural use. There are also five former council landfill sites within the lands of the proposed development. The project was the first phase of a comprehensive development plan for the Fassaroe area which saw the Cosgrave group set out a long-term proposal to construct over 2,200 residential units over four phases up to 2040, subject to planning permission. Advertisement The commission – formerly known as An Bord Pleanála – said the plans did not adhere to the planning principles on compact growth, sequential development and phasing which are set out in the Wicklow County Development Plan 2022-2028. It noted the site's peripheral location and distance from Bray town centre and the lack of public transport serving the area as well as the excess of residential zoning in Fassaroe and the availability of other residential-zoned land for development in built-up parts of the town. The commission also observed that there was uncertainty about the precise arrangements for the delivery of bus services to serve the proposed development based on information provided by the National Transport Authority. It also rejected the application by the Cosgrave group on the basis that it would 'constitute an insufficient and unacceptable level of density'. Advertisement The commission said the plans would not secure compact growth and would encourage urban sprawl and could result in a car-dependent development. 'It would not represent an efficient or sustainable use of strategically zoned land,' it concluded. The application, which was made under the fast-track process for strategic housing developments, had been submitted in April 2022. Wicklow County Council was supportive of the development subject to a number of planning conditions. Advertisement Explained Housing, health, military: What does the National... Read More The local authority claimed it was consistent with the zoning objectives for the area and would provide a suitable layout in terms of residential amenity, visual impact and recreational infrastructure. An Bord Pleanála had previously refused planning permission by the same developer for a development of 658 units and neighbourhood centre on the same site in 2017 over concerns about public transport services and its potential adverse impact on the N11/M11, other businesses in Bray town centre and the Balllyman Glen Special Area of Conservation. The Cosgrave group claimed there had been considerable further action since that time which had clarified that Fassaroe would be served by a public bus route. It stated that the development would have served as 'an appropriate expansion to Bray town while also providing sufficient amenities for us by the wider population in the area.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Slough buses get £900k to improve services
More than £900,000 has been approved by a council to improve a town's bus is part of a £2.2m investment in Slough where the borough council was previously awarded £1.3m by the Department for Transport (DfT).The authority said the full investment would fund better access to the town centre and a bus interchange service to Wexham Park Hospital and Heathrow Airport.A report to the council's cabinet recommended councillors approve the capital spending, saying it would lead to "a borough for children and young people to thrive" and "a town where residents can live happier, safer and more independent lives". The funding would also be used to upgrade traffic signals, improve services at two bus stops where bus arrivals are poor and shorten journey times, the council - which investing a further £63,000 in the scheme - said. There would also be reduced ticket prices for passengers who take multiple bus services for their journey, with more evening and Sunday services Paul Kelly, cabinet member for highways and transport, told Monday's meeting: "These combined measures represent a forward-thinking and exciting programme of investment and public transport in Slough."Working with our colleagues as well as our vital key stakeholders such as Heathrow Airport, Great Western Railway (GWR) and neighbouring local authorities we hope to make a significant improvement for those who need sustainable transport in our borough."Zero-emission buses might be purchased using the capital funding, as set out in the report, but the council has not yet committed to the plans. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- BBC News
Bus link to West Somerset Railway withdrawn after 20 years
Campaigners have criticised a decision to scrap a bus to a heritage railway station after 20 years due to low passenger 28 bus, which runs from Taunton to Minehead, provides a direct transfer to the heritage railway service at Bishop's Lydeard from mainline Group has confirmed that the stop will be "temporarily withdrawn" from 31 August, with Somerset councillor Richard Wilkins saying it was "not a cost-cutting measure".Somerset Bus Partnership has called for an "immediate suspension of the withdrawal", adding: "This vital stop links Taunton Station with the West Somerset Railway, a major heritage attraction drawing thousands of visitors annually." The 28 and 28A will continue to serve Bishop's Lydeard by stopping outside the Lethbridge Arms, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Somerset Bus Partnership said: "By removing the stop at Bishops Lydeard Station and relocating it over 500m away, without proper accessibility infrastructure or a full equalities impact assessment, the company is potentially denying access to disabled passengers in violation of their rights."This mirrors the damaging impact of recent changes to Service 2 in Lyngford, Taunton, where the withdrawal of stops left many elderly and vulnerable passengers struggling to access their daily needs, including GP appointments and essential shopping." Wilkins, portfolio holder for transport and waste services, said the changes would be reviewed ahead of the 2026 summer timetable."There will still be a bus stop close by the Lethbridge Arms in Bishop's Lydeard, which will require customers to walk to the railway – but this route is short and safe, using the underpass under the A358."This change is not a cost-cutting measure, as First is looking to redistribute the time taken to serve these stops, providing greater reliability for passengers."James Eustace, commercial director for First Bus in Somerset, said: "These changes are about making sure our services run more reliably and reflect the needs of our passengers."
BBC News
21-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
New bus service to be introduced in Hinckley and Coalville
A new bus service linking Hinckley and Coalville will be introduced in County Council said it was running a one-year trial of the new LC6 route which will connect Coalville Memorial Square, Ibstock, Market Bosworth, Newbold Verdon and Hinckley Crescent bus service will be launched on 26 August and comes as part of the council's review of supported bus council said during the one-year trial of the new service, demand and use will be "carefully monitored". Charles Whitford, cabinet member for highways, transport and waste, said: "The LC6 is another great addition to our local bus network. We know residents want this service between Hinckley and Coalville, as more than 200 people requested it during our travel roadshows held this year."Linking up these two areas of the county will help people to get to school, the shops and to work."Even if you wouldn't usually use the bus, I would encourage as many residents as possible to try out the new service and help cut congestion on our roads."
