Latest news with #ChristineWise
BBC News
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
On-demand bus service to connect isolated Rutland villages
A new on-demand bus service straddling two counties is to be launched later this and villages in north-west Rutland and north-east Leicestershire will be served by the new bus network from 31 zone, covering the areas between Oakham and Melton Mowbray, is the first of three planned as part of Rutland County Council's Bus Service Improvement Plan.A series of information events is being held ahead of the launch with the first on Friday from 09:00 to 12:00 GMT at Oakham Library. The new on-demand service will be free to use for the first three months, with passengers able to book journeys on a phone app or by calling, with at least an hour's council said the plan was to trial on-demand minibuses from existing bus stops alongside the area's fixed-route services through said the aim is "to connect villages with main bus routes" where people can then catch onward drop-in sessions are planned on Tuesday in Cottesmore, Exton, Stretton and Clipsham, on Thursday in Greetham, Market Overton and Wymondham, on Saturday 15 March in Thistleton and on Wednesday 19 March back in Oakham. 'Changing network' A similar on-demand bus service was launched in the neighbouring Melton Mowbray area in council's transport lead Christine Wise said: "These roadshow events will be a great way for people to learn more about how their local transport network is changing, as well as seeing our new vehicles and asking any questions they may have."She added information will also be made available online and there will be further roadshows as the rollout roadshow will also provide details of the new RZ1 bus which is replacing the existing R2 route, the council added.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Campaigners continue fight for library
Campaigners trying to protect their village library in Rutland have said the county council's budget - just approved - offers them no assurance about its future. The annual budget, which included a council tax rise of 4.99%, was agreed by a majority of Rutland county councillors at a meeting on Thursday night. But the future of Ryhall library remains unclear. The authority says a consultation on its use is yet to conclude and plans will be drawn up after that point. Rutland County Council has planned a programme, using £950,000 of national grant cash to develop libraries into new "Living Well Centres". It is intended that these centres combine community services and make wider information and support for the public much easier to find. But details referring to the programme for Ryhall were left marked 'TBC' - to be confirmed - in the approved budget papers. The council had found that works needed to bring Ryhall library up to standard would exceed the available budget. The council then opened a public consultation on how best to deliver local library services in the village. An action group was set up in January as residents found a county council cabinet paper was recommending the closure of Ryhall library. Andrew Nebel, a Ryhall parish councillor, disputed the county council's claim that to update and improve the library and incorporate a "Living Well Centre" would cost in the region of £250,000. He said the service "has enough reserves to cover any extra costs" and basic maintenance of the building, independently assessed, would cost only £10,000 this year and a further £15,000 over the next three years. Rutland county councillor Christine Wise, who leads on libraries, said there were "a number of things undecided" about the library budgets and a consultation on the future of Ryhall library remains open until the end of February. A cabinet meeting in April will consider the responses and next steps. Campaigners told the BBC they want to ensure there is a full council vote on whether to close the library. Nebel said without that "it would be a political decision by the cabinet, which we think is undemocratic". Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. County libraries set for £1m refurbishment Rutland County Council
