Greg in Newcastle Journal over East End bus services (Greg Stone)

Greg in Newcastle Journal over East End bus services

February 22, 2007 12:00 AM

Journal - Voice of the North - 22nd Feb 07

People not prepared to wait indefinitely

I WAS rather surprised by (Labour) Councillor Nick Kemp's somewhat petulant attack on Lib Dem Euro MP Fiona Hall's recent meeting with Lib Dem councillors and residents campaigning against bus service cuts in the East End of Newcastle ("Long-term solution needed over transport", Voice of the North, February 20), which he described as "a typical pathetic Liberal Democrat stunt" and "short-term gesture politics".

Like Coun Kemp, we agree there needs to be an integrated solution for bus provision in the East End and citywide. However, people in the East End are not prepared to wait indefinitely for his "long term approach" to deliver. Although his lobbying may have encouraged the passenger transport authority to reinstate the Walker Road service following massive cuts to subsidised routes, it is notable that this route serves the wards of both himself and the Labour chairman of the PTA. Help for routes elsewhere has not been forthcoming.

As an East End councillor, I know that there is particular concern locally over the cuts to the numbers 3 and 49 (Stagecoach) services, particularly over the Walker to Gosforth section. Residents of Walkergate and Cochrane Park have been especially hard hit. Lib Dem councillors along this route have collected hundreds of signatures on a petition for its reinstatement, which was presented to the Lord Mayor at a city council meeting.

We make no apology for taking steps to raise the profile of this issue, and we are grateful to Fiona Hall for her help with efforts to get Stagecoach to reconsider. We are sure that the local residents affected by these cuts will agree.

COUN GREG STONE, Liberal Democrat, North Heaton ward, Newcastle City Council and Opposition member, Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Authority (email: greg.stone@newcastle.gov.uk)