An East Lancashire MP has highlighted the plight of villages in his constituency stranded by the lack of proper bus services.
Rossendale and Darwen MP Andy MacNae told a House of Commons debate on improving public transport that 'Edgworth, Edenfield and Weir have long felt cut off'.
He said: "Public transport is vital to not only the connectivity and economic growth of our communities, but the wellbeing of our residents.
"For so many people who cannot afford a car, public transport is a lifeline, allowing them to get to work, to school, to see friends and family, and to visit doctors and hospitals.
"Without good, reliable public transport links, our communities suffer.
"I was delighted to see the government’s recent commitment to £1 billion of funding to support our local bus networks, with areas in my constituency receiving millions of pounds in support.
"We can now begin the vital work of strengthening our bus routes, many of which have faced years of unending cuts.
"In my constituency, villages such as Edgworth, Edenfield and Weir have long felt cut off.
"We need to judge the value of restoring those connections for not just short-term passenger numbers, but with consideration of all the social, wellbeing and economic benefits that come from connecting remote communities with the services, training and employment opportunities they need."
"I welcome the trans-Pennine route upgrade, which will ensure that our key towns in the north are better connected, with faster and more frequent trains.
"With that greater connectivity and mobility, we can begin to address the constraints that have held back our northern economy for many years.
"I am pleased to see the commitment to a further £650 million for transport links outside of cities.
"It is much needed, with lines like those serving Darwen in my constituency crying out for improvement as they suffer constant cancellations and delays.
"I also hope this will be an opportunity to address left-behind areas, such as Rossendale, where one in four of my residents commute into Manchester and yet we are the only local authority area in the north without any sort of commuter rail link.
"That results in 79 per cent of journeys being by car, with all the resultant congestion and air pollution.
"The City Valley rail link proposed by our borough and county councils would be an absolute game-changer.
"It would take half a million cars off the road and enable up to 5,000 jobs. "
Share