Expansion of local bus services approved

Denise Rollo said Cumberland Council is committed to securing new services

A major expansion of bus services has been approved, aimed at targeting areas where routes are currently limited or commercially unviable.

Cumberland Council said the move follows talks with residents and stakeholders to understand local travel needs.

Backed by £3.5m in government funding through the Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP), the delivery of the proposed new services are subject to operators submitting a tender to run them, the local authority said.

The plans were backed by councillors at a Highways and Transport Strategic Board earlier.

Labour councillor Denise Rollo said: "This is the next step in building a better future for public transport in Cumberland, one that directly reflects what our communities have told us they want.

"While not all services may attract tenders, given market constraints such as vehicle and driver availability, Cumberland Council is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for residents within the available funding."

The proposed new or expanded services include:

• Carlisle to Anthorn - Addition of peak journeys and a new Sunday service

• Kirkbride to Carlisle - The reinstatement of a previous service including enhanced links for Cargo, Houghton Rockcliffe and Currock Community Centre

• Whitehaven to Ravenglass - New service

• Carlisle to Cockermouth - Upgrade to hourly service

• Cockermouth-Lillyhall-Distington - West Cumberland Hospital- New service

• Carlisle to Hadrian's Wall - New service

• Cockermouth Town Buses - Return of the local town service

• Bootle to Millom via Ravenglass - New service

• Cockermouth to Mayport - Service enhancements that include peak journeys and a new Maryport and Dearham town service

• Whitehaven Town Loop - New north eastern loop

• Carlisle-Longtown-Penton - Expanded rural coverge

• Carlisle to Durranhill/Carleton - New route service Locke Road Surgery and Garlands

• Wetheral-Carlisle-Dalston - Greater frequency

• Frizington to Cockermouth/Workington - Return of previous service

The plans also include the continuation of services introduced in November 2024, including:

• Silloth to Maryport

• Maryport-Egremont-Thornhill

• Maryport-Cleator Moor-Frizington

• Workington to Carlisle