I appreciate that Stagecoach’s plans to cut a number of bus services from the end of this month continue to worry large numbers of my constituents, especially those who rely on the number 11, 12, 39 and Citi5 routes.
At the end of last month, I met with the Managing Director of Stagecoach East, Darren Roe, to convey in person my anger and concern over Stagecoach’s plans to cut bus services. On behalf of my constituents, I urged Stagecoach to rethink its plans before it is too late.
Of course, we need to have an alternative plan ready to go assuming Stagecoach continues to ignore public outrage and proceeds with cutting services in South East Cambridgeshire and across the region. That is why I am disappointed that at last month’s meeting of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Strategy & Resources Committee, Liberal Democrat, Labour and Independent Councillors voted down a motion put forward by the Conservative Group which could have prevented Stagecoach’s planned cuts to buses in my constituency and across the region. Time is running out to save our buses.
As buses are a devolved matter, I am calling on the Combined Authority and the Mayor to act fast to stop these bus cuts. In my capacity as MP for South East Cambridgeshire, I have asked for a meeting with the Mayor, together with other local MPs, to find out more about his plans and to make sure he is aware of just how important it is for my constituents that these services are protected. This meeting will happen on Monday.
