Vital bus routes to be protected under new law
Vital bus services will be protected under new legislation which has just become law.The Bus Services Bill, which has now passed through the House of Lords, will mean routes deemed "socially necessary" will be subject to strict protections before they can be changed or cancelled.In a visit to Blackpool, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said the government recognised how the routes, such as one between the town and Knott End, provide a "lifeline" for passengers. He told BBC Radio Lancashire said there will now be "extra layers and protections" in place.
"When a bus company is considering changing or cancelling that bus service they will have to really consider what all possible options are to mitigate the impact on the local community," he said.
'Improved routes'
The law is intended to end the plight of bus routes being controversially scrapped at short notice, especially those used by vulnerable or disadvantaged passengers.It comes after Blackpool Transport got £4m funding to help improve bus services in the area.Managing director Jane Cole said the investment would encourage more people to use improved public transport and reduce car use."It is about migrating people on to public transport and by the time we have done that, from a commercial model, we can then put more frequent routes on to more places and the whole town then will have a more green agenda," she said.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
29 minutes ago
- BBC News
Wakefield gallery raising £3.8m for Barbara Hepworth 'masterpiece'
A West Yorkshire art gallery is attempting to raise sufficient funds to purchase a Dame Barbara Hepworth sculpture "for the nation".The Hepworth Wakefield wants to buy Sculpture With Colour (Oval Form) Pale Blue And Red, created in the 1940s, in order for it to go on permanent public oval-shaped piece, which sold for more than £3.5m in 2024, was later given a temporary export bar preventing it from leaving the country - providing a UK gallery the chance to acquire it. The Art Fund charity has offered £750,000 towards the cost, however a further £2.9m is required before a 27 August deadline. If the target was not met, the sculpture by the Wakefield-born artist would go to a private buyer and be taken appeal is backed by artists and creatives including Sir Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Jonathan Anderson, Richard Deacon, Katy Hessel, Veronica Ryan, Joanna Scanlan and Dame Rachel piece is one of only a handful of wooden carvings made by the artist during the 1940s, when she lived in St Ives, Cornwall, with her young family. If bought, the Hepworth said it would be a "star piece" in its gallery also planned to lend it to other museums and galleries across the UK, "opening up access for people everywhere".Simon Wallis, gallery director, said: "We established The Hepworth Wakefield 14 years ago to celebrate, explore and build on Barbara Hepworth's legacy. "This sculpture is the missing piece, a masterpiece which deserves to be on display in the town where Hepworth was born." Sir Antony said: "Barbara Hepworth's work remains a luminary example of both an engagement with modernism and a return to direct carving."The opportunity for the museum named after her to acquire this important work is precious and should be supported."The gallery is home to Wakefield's art collection, including significant works by Dame Barbara but excluding her finished works from the Waldman, Art Fund director, said: "This rare and significant sculpture should be on public display in the UK now and for generations to come. "Every museum should have the power to secure landmark works of art but in today's challenging funding climate they simply cannot compete with the prices demanded on the open market." She added: "We applaud The Hepworth Wakefield for the huge ambition of their bid to bring this Hepworth home." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
29 minutes ago
- BBC News
Historic Arnos Vale Cemetery damaged by vandals
Members of the public are being asked to "remain vigilant" and report suspicious activity after a historic graveyard was destroyed by vandals. Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust in Bristol said a total of seven graves were damaged, with Victorian marble headstones toppled over and stonework smashed. The boiler room and crypt of the Anglican Chapel, a Grade II*-listed building, were also broken into and sustained significant damage in the trust said it may have to consider adding more security measures to the site including overnight staff and additional CCTV. The graves in Arnos Vale Cemetery date back to 1839, with the first burial recorded in July of that cemetery was designed to provide a more spacious and sanitary burial ground, compared to the overcrowded parish graveyards of the a statement, the trust said: "This vandalism has understandably caused concern to everyone that cherishes Arnos Vale Cemetery as a place of remembrance, reflection, and heritage."Acts of vandalism place additional pressure on limited resources, and divert funds away from day-to-day maintenance and conservation work across the cemetery and its listed buildings."As a registered charity, the team relies on public support and donations to care for the historic site. The cemetery remains open 24 hours a day, serving as a vital pedestrian route and green space for local people. The charity said it remains "committed to maintaining this open access", but repeated incidents may lead to the trustees "reviewing these arrangements".CEO Ann Fiddler said: "We are grateful for the continued support and ask everyone to remain vigilant and report any signs of new damage to the graves or the site."Together we can ensure the protection and conservation of this unique place for generations to come."Your eyes and support can make a real difference in protecting this special place."
BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Kudos to Martin for backing himself to win over support'
After four months of searching, and numerous candidates in the mix from Steven Gerrard to Davide Ancelotti, we finally have our head coach to kickstart the new era for the responsibility has been given to Russell Martin, that's right - don't squint your eyes or think this is a typo - it's actually him. Frankly, as always, I hope it works and he is successful but it appears he's the one that almost no one the online reaction, you have to give him some kudos for taking the job and backing himself to win over the trust of the thing that irked me with regard to Philippe Clement's style of football was the lack of control - it was all very will be the polar opposite. What I hope for is that he can come in and keep the positive parts of his play - the high press and high tempo - and tighten up the I always feel the sign of a good manager is someone who can improve players already at a club when you arrive. If he can get a right few of them to take their games to the next level such as Mo Diomande, Nico Raskin and Hamza Igamane, I'd be delighted with that as a starting from Martin at his first media conference today will be interesting, particularly his thoughts on the fan noise and more importantly, how he wants to move this team forward and try and win games of sporting director Kevin Thelwell and new technical director Dan Purdy must give him the tools to succeed by adding to the players mentioned above, if they remain at the club beyond the summer. It's a tough job ahead, and the recruitment has to be spot on all across the squad to get players that fit the Martin's currently have a mishmash of players who lack direction. Hopefully with a new manager and new players coming in things will become more cohesive on the pitch.I'm intrigued where this will go, what calibre of player we can attract and how Martin's philosophy will work both domestically and in be honest, going into next season, fan opinion, possession stats and philosophies won't really matter. It's silverware that counts and if you wanted Martin or were a bit dubious, like myself, you just hope he comes in and delivers.
