Officials look to give buses £1.7m extra funding

The funding comes from the Department for Transport (DfT)

More than £1.5m government funding is set to be used to improve bus services in Cumbria.

Officials at Westmorland and Furness Council have recommended councillors approve the allocation of Department for Transport (DfT) funding to several bus routes when they meet on 16 July.

The one-off pot of money, totalling £1.7m, would be used to better link communities across the county, the council said.

In documents published before the meeting, the Lib Dem-led council said the funding would help operators grow "long term patronage" for the routes and ensure connections are maintained.

One of the services set to benefit from the funding is the number 6 route between Barrow and Windermere according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

About £203,000 would be used to maintain extra peak services and improve daytime frequency of buses, the council said.

The X6 route from Barrow to Kendal would receive £175,000 to increase the frequency of its Monday to Saturday service with more peak services added towards Barrow.

The council said: "[The] funding will ensure connections are restored and maintained, increasing the frequency on key corridors and strengthening the financial sustainability of the sector."

Other routes set to receive funding include:

• The 106 service from Kendal to Penrith via Shap with a possible extension to Settle-Carlisle line at Langwathby

• Peak services would be improved on the 505 from Coniston to Ambleside and 516 from Dungeon Ghyll to Ambleside

• The 508 service from Windermere to Penrith would see an increase in frequency including at peak time for workers

• The 555 between Keswick and Kendal would get an improved evening service

• The 532 service from Cartmel to Grange would operate five days per week

• The improved Monday to Saturday 104 service from Penrith to Carlisle would be maintained with the Sunday service increased

• A new 105 Greystoke to Penrith service with a possible extension to the Settle-Carlisle line at Langwathby

• The 561 Wednesday service from Appleby to Kendal would be reinstated

• The 563 from Penrith to Kirkby Stephen would have increased frequency with a possible extension to Kirkby Stephen and Appleby railway stations.

• The improved 680 Nenthead to Carlisle would be maintained and a twice daily Monday to Friday service from Alston to Penrith would be explored