Nigel Evans, MP for the Ribble Valley, has praised the effect of people power in saving the 280 Bus Service.
The 280 service was due to be delisted in June by current operator, Preston Bus, who informed Lancashire County Council (LCC) that the service was no longer commercially viable. However, last week the news came that LCC and Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire have been working together to ensure the service continues to service the A59 corridor from Preston to Skipton into the future.
Although there will be minor timetable adjustments the timetable will run largely unchanged, with buses between Clitheroe and Preston each hour, and extending to Skipton every two hours. The route has been extended to serve Earby and will be funded by and initial £80,000 per year with contributions in the first year from Ribble Valley Borough Council and Pendle Borough Council.
Speaking about the successful campaign to save the bus service, Mr Evans said:
“There have been stellar efforts from Borough and County Councillors to see the 280 bus service saved. It is an essential service linking the heart of Lancashire to Yorkshire whilst serving some of the Ribble Valley’s most populous areas. I have received huge amounts of correspondence from people worried that they cannot reach places of education, their workplace, or their nearest city.”
“It has been heartening to see the endless representations made to Lancashire County Council from the Conservative politicians of the Ribble Valley and to see three councils club together to ensure the immediate continuation of the service.”