Fears for the future of local transport services after Welsh Government funding cut

Published 30 January 2012

Fears have been voiced that local transport services in the Vale of Glamorgan may be cut after a drop in Welsh Government funding.

Cabinet member for planning and transportation, Councillor Jeffrey James, has written to the Welsh Government in the wake of the reduction by more than £123,000 of its Local Transport Services Grant (LTSG) – a drop of 27%.

The LTSG provides funding for local authorities to finance a range of transport initiatives, such as new community transport services, improving bus shelters and  enhancing accessibility by buying low-floor buses.

In a letter to local government minister Carl Sergeant, Coun James said: “I have very serious concerns regarding our ability to continue to provide an appropriate level of local transport provision.

“We are currently concluding a bus service review for the council’s area and this recent announcement means that it is inevitable that bus services will be reduced.

“In certain areas at certain times in response to consultation, the reality is that services will be now cut.

“The Welsh Government’s introduction of a 25% reduction in the Bus Service Operator’s Grant (BSOG) rate - 5% higher than the reductions being imposed in England  - will negatively impact on our ability to provide even the reduced service provision.”

Coun James said he feared bus providers would withdraw from tendering for routes, because  their bids may now no longer be financially tenable.

He added: “The recent announcements will without doubt, see a very visible and harmful reduction in the levels of local bus services.”

For information on transport in the Vale, visit our transport pages.