The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A petition has been launched to save a popular bus service relied on by many South Holland residents.
The county’s Stagecoach service has announced that it is closing its King’s Lynn depot as it undergoes a major review of operations.
The current 505 service provides regular services throughout week days between the two towns. It also picks-up in Sutton Bridge, Long Sutton, Holbeach and a number of South Holland villages in between.
Anthony Bowen, who runs Three Counties Deli and coffee shop in Long Sutton, said the loss of the “vital” service would be a real hammer blow to communities.
“For the young, those unable to drive and people living in quite isolated areas, the 505 bus service has become a vital resource,” he said.
He added that many young people also use the service to get to college or work, and it is a lifeblood for the community.
“We want to gauge support and hope the petition can be used to prove the need for it,” said Mr Bowen.
Stagecoach East, which took over from the former Norfolk Green franchise, blamed “a challenging economic environment” for the current review.
The operator runs around 50 vehicles and employs 120 staff from the King’s Lynn depot.
Andy Campbell, managing director of Stagecoach East said: “We are a significant local employer and we understand the importance of bus services for the local community. We also know that any change can be unsettling for our people. That’s why we are working closely with both the trade union and local authority to protect as many jobs and as much of the local network as possible.
“We’re carrying out a consultation and will be liaising closely with staff during that process, however the reality is that we simply cannot sustain the current operation given the challenging economic climate that we’re faced with.”
A King’s Lynn based community transport service is hoping to plug gaps, along with the Lynx bus company which also operates out of the town.
The charity-run transport service provides a door-to-door service for those who struggle with access and has operated for around 25 years. Stagecoach, which took over the routes in December 2013, is hoping to relocate the “majority” of staff with other operators.
A statement from Lynx said the company was looking at the situation and it hoped none of the Stagecoach locations would be left with no service.
A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council added: “It’s disappointing that Stagecoach have come to the conclusion that they can no longer operate sustainably in West Norfolk and we are sorry to hear this news.”
To support the petition to save the 505 service, see the 38degrees website.
A petition has been launched to save a popular bus service relied on by many South Holland residents.
The county’s Stagecoach service has announced that it is closing its King’s Lynn depot as it undergoes a major review of operations.
The current 505 service provides regular services throughout week days between the two towns. It also picks-up in Sutton Bridge, Long Sutton, Holbeach and a number of South Holland villages in between.
Anthony Bowen, who runs Three Counties Deli and coffee shop in Long Sutton, said the loss of the “vital” service would be a real hammer blow to communities.
“For the young, those unable to drive and people living in quite isolated areas, the 505 bus service has become a vital resource,” he said.
He added that many young people also use the service to get to college or work, and it is a lifeblood for the community.
“We want to gauge support and hope the petition can be used to prove the need for it,” said Mr Bowen.
Stagecoach East, which took over from the former Norfolk Green franchise, blamed “a challenging economic environment” for the current review.
The operator runs around 50 vehicles and employs 120 staff from the King’s Lynn depot.
Andy Campbell, managing director of Stagecoach East said: “We are a significant local employer and we understand the importance of bus services for the local community. We also know that any change can be unsettling for our people. That’s why we are working closely with both the trade union and local authority to protect as many jobs and as much of the local network as possible.
“We’re carrying out a consultation and will be liaising closely with staff during that process, however the reality is that we simply cannot sustain the current operation given the challenging economic climate that we’re faced with.”
A King’s Lynn based community transport service is hoping to plug gaps, along with the Lynx bus company which also operates out of the town.
The charity-run transport service provides a door-to-door service for those who struggle with access and has operated for around 25 years. Stagecoach, which took over the routes in December 2013, is hoping to relocate the “majority” of staff with other operators.
A statement from Lynx said the company was looking at the situation and it hoped none of the Stagecoach locations would be left with no service.
A spokesperson for Norfolk County Council added: “It’s disappointing that Stagecoach have come to the conclusion that they can no longer operate sustainably in West Norfolk and we are sorry to hear this news.”
To support the petition sign here.
