Bus routes areunder threat asmore cuts loom
Several bus routes could be cut back or even axed in the Horncastle area - leaving workers, shoppers, students and the elderly effectively stranded in some communities.
Lincolnshire County Council is looking to save around £47million in the coming 12 months - and more than £170million over the next four years - after cutbacks in Government funding.
The News revealed recently that a number of school bus services could be under threat but the county council is looking at all public transport in Lincolnshire.
Richard Davies, executive councillor for highways and transportation, said: “In light of severe reductions to our Government funding, we have to drastically reduce the amount of money we spend on all of our council services.”
The CallConnect service - which is totally reliant on county council backing - is reported to be under threat.
Several worried residents have contacted the News about the potential loss of a bus service.
Ian Stephenson, from Horncastle, said: “My two teenagers go to college in Lincoln and if there are cuts, I don’t know how they will manage,”
Lisa Collins, who lives near Tetford, said she relied on buses to get to Louth or Horncastle.
She said: “A lot of elderly people live in villages. The buses are a lifeline. You couldn’t get to the doctors. It would be devastating.”
• According to the County Council, there are 169 bus services throughout Lincolnshire which receive ‘some degree’ of revenue support.
The ‘CallConnect’ service - which is vital in many outlying rural communities in the Wolds - is fully funded by the county council.
The list of services in the local area includes:
BINBROOK-GRIMSBY
KIRKSTEAD-HORNCASTLE
WORLABY - HORNCASTLE
LUDFORD - MARKET RASEN - BINBROOK
BOSTON - SPILSBY
PARTNEY - HORNCASTLE
ALFORD-WILLOUGHBY-ALFORD
ALFORD via SPILSBY/WILLOUGHBY
MARTIN-SLEAFORD RAIL STATION
BOSTON - CONINGSBY
LITTLE CAWTHORPE - LOUTH
WRAGBY - CHERRY WILLINGHAM
BUCKNALL - BRANSTON
MABLETHORPE - ALFORD
CONINGSBY-LINCOLN
BOSTON - HORNCASTLE
CONINGSBY-LINCOLN
HORNCASTLE-BOSTON
BINBROOK-GRIMSBY
HORNCASTLE-LINCOLN
LOUTH TOWN SERVICE
DUNHOLME- HORNCASTLE
HORNCASTLE-BOSTON/KIRKSTEAD
LOUTH-HORNCASTLE (6C)
SPILSBY CALLCONNECT
HORNCASTLE-SLEAFORD
HORNCASTLE & CONINGSBY CALLCONNECT
LOUTH SOUTH CALLCONNECT
EAST OF LOUTH CALLCONNECT
SLEAFORD & METHERINGHAM CALLCONNECT
TOYNTON ALL SAINTS - BOSTON
ALFORD-ABY-LOUTH
WRAGBY-LOUTH