Weaver Vale and Ellesmere Port MPs back 'on demand' rural transport service

Neighbouring MPs have welcomed an innovative public transport service in the rural area after a successful £1m funding bid.

Mike Amesbury (Weaver Vale) and Justin Madders (Ellesmere and Neston) are delighted residents will benefit from the demand-responsive bus and taxi service.

The three-year trial follows Cheshire West and Chester Council’s successful bid to Government for £1.075m from the Rural Mobility Fund.

Passengers will book a vehicle on one of a number of core journeys. If enough people wish to use the same route, around the same time, then it will run.

In Mike’s constituency, the scheme will cover areas including Frodsham, Helsby, Kingsley, Norley, Crowton, Acton Bridge, Flaxmere, Commonside, Manley and Alvanley.

Mike, who wrote to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps in support of the trial, said: "This is fabulous news. Where there is sufficient demand, the service will deliver green journeys for workers, shoppers and students while addressing social isolation, including among older people, in the rural area.

“The lack of public transport in Frodsham, Helsby and the surrounding areas has been a major concern for some time.”

He added: "Huge credit must go to the Labour council for the work it has done on this.”

Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Justin Madders is also happy the service will cover villages including Elton and Ince, communities where he has long been trying to help constituents who have been concerned about poor public transport links.

He said: “The lack of public transport in these and surrounding areas has been a major concern for some time. There is a long way to go before we have the public transport links we would like, but this is a good start.”

The proposal is for journey requests to be made through a website or a mobile application with a non-electronic alternative for those not online. CWaC will be assessing opportunities for the use of zero/low emission vehicles, which could include buses and taxis.

Other areas covered include Delamere, Mouldsworth and Hapsford in Eddisbury constituency.

CWaC is one of only 17 local authorities to be awarded funding from the Rural Mobility Fund.

The fund aims to trial demand-responsive transport solutions to understand whether they can work better for residents of rural and suburban areas than traditional timetabled bus services.