The Leader of Shropshire Council, and the council’s Cabinet member for transport, have written to new Prime Minster Andy Burnham calling for fairer funding for public transport in rural areas such as Shropshire. Read the letter here.

It follows a recent review of 21 bus services across the county that would have cost the council an additional £1.25 million to maintain due to a fall in government funding and increased costs, leading to a number of difficult decisions.

In their letter councillors Heather Kidd and Rob Wilson congratulate the Prime Minister on his appointment and seek his support for “a fairer funding settlement that properly recognises the challenges of delivering essential services across large rural counties.”

They urge the Government to “review the distribution of local bus revenue support to ensure that rural counties are treated fairly and that funding formulae properly recognise the additional costs of serving dispersed populations”, saying that “if rural authorities are to deliver on the national objectives of economic growth, social mobility, environmental sustainability and integrated transport, they must be provided with the resources necessary to do so.”

The letter concludes:

“Shropshire stands ready to work constructively with your Government to deliver better outcomes for residents. We simply ask for the funding framework that allows us to match our ambition with delivery.”

Earlier this year as Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham visited Shrewsbury (pictured) to see the town’s successful night bus trial (see picture), something that has led to the introduction of an evening park and ride service in the town from November.

The letter can be read in full HERE.

(Picture: Shropshire Council)