Axed bus wins temporary Christmas reprieve

A doomed bus serving a high street will resume for the Christmas period before being permanently axed, the authority behind the decision has said.

Last month Cumberland Council announced it would no longer be funding the MD1 from Dearham to Maryport, which runs through the latter's main shopping street. and ended the service on 29 October.

Now the Labour-led authority, which said it made the decision to "balance the books", has decided to resume the route until the end of the year before permanently stopping it.

Cabinet member Denise Rollo said it would help residents "stay connected throughout the winter".

She claimed: "We will continue to explore the options available, but in the meantime, I would encourage residents to make the most of the service and help us support both local transport and local businesses."

The introduction of the MD1 last year was supported by businesses in Maryport who launched a reward scheme to encourage bus use, but the decision to cancel it was met with disappointment by traders.

Cumberland Council said the removal of funding was due to low passenger numbers and the need to prioritise routes based on demand.

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