Dr Sam Page of Transition Marlborough has sent the following letter to Wiltshire Council:
Dear Sirs
We note with concern that the last week-day bus that connects rail passengers from Bedwyn railway station to Marlborough town has been cancelled. This bus provides a vital service for Marlborough’s residents as it connects with the 18.06 and 18.33 commuter trains from London Paddington.
You may recall that in 2013, Transition Marlborough worked with the Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group in order to promote the ‘£1 each-way’ bus service between Marlborough, Hungerford and Bedwyn that depends on the 0705 bus from Marlborough and the 1950 bus from Bedwyn, in order to persuade train passengers to leave their cars at home.
Considering resolution 582/15 below, that was passed by our Town Councillors, we would be grateful if you could explain the reason for this drastic cut to our essential bus service.
Yours sincerely
Dr Sam L J Page
Transition Marlborough
Marlborough Town Council’s resolution on the Wiltshire Council consultation on subsidised bus routes:
582/15 WILTSHIRE COUNCIL CONSULTATION – REVIEW OF SUBSIDISED BUS SERVICES
Members considered a corporate response to the county-wide consultation. Main concerns were that:
·Listed bus services were important
·Any withdrawal of funding for buses would have a knock on effect on the town’s air quality as more cars took to the road
·The impact on those using the services to commute to work
·The importance of links to rail services
·The importance of retaining links to other towns (in particular, Swindon and Salisbury)
·The impact on the elderly who used the bus services to travel around the town
·The impact on those using the service to travel to hospital (GWH, RUH and Savernake)
·The social impact of reducing costs was higher than the savings to be made.
It was noted that the feedback would be contrary to Option 6 of the consultation review document – Withdraw all funding for all council subsided services.
RESOLVED: by 11 votes for with 1 abstention that Marlborough Town Council does not support any reduction in subsidised bus services as they would cause serious economic and social disadvantage to the town.
