Rescue bid for Fenland bus service rejected - but not ruled out

A rescue plan suggested by Conservatives to save “scandalous” and “unfair” cuts to bus services across Cambridgeshire have been rejected by the county council.

A bid to allocate £1.7million to stop the Stagecoach company’s controversial decision to axe 18 services, including many in Fenland, was voted out by the county council’s strategy and resources committee on Friday.

But with further debate due later this month, the council leader said they were “absolutely not ruling it out.”

Seven councillors voted for the amendment and eight voted against.

The Conservatives had pleaded for a united front to try to stop the bus company leaving some communities, including Chatteris, without a single service from the end of this month.

They wanted the county council to match £1.7m put on the table by the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

Stagecoach claims the services have been operating at a loss since Covid and are not financially viable.

In a debate which aimed strong criticism at Stagecoach, the cuts were described variously as “appalling”, unwelcome”, “unfair”, “atrocious” and “scandalous.”

Cllr Chris Boden said the actions would be devastating for thousands of residents and that, while it was not legally obliged to help, it had a moral obligation. Many people, including those in more deprived areas, would be isolated, he said.

However, a further committee meeting will be held on October 20, one day after that of CAPCA’s on October 19, where that council will then decide what the outcome will be following an ongoing tendering process.

It was agreed that CCC should wait to see how the process plays out before investing any money into the bus cuts.

The CCC leader, Lucy Nethsingha, said: “ We don’t yet know the cost of preserving the bus services, or what other sources of funding might be available.

“The amendment asks for a very specific amount to be taken out of our reserves before we know what level of funding is needed, and we have another meeting the day after the tender results where, if needed, we can review whether additional support is necessary.

“I am absolutely not ruling out that the county council may need to help.”