Increasing Fears For Future Of Harborough’s Subsidised Bus Routes
Written by HFM News on 23rd February 2023
There are increasing fears for the future of some bus services in and around Market Harborough after a last-ditch attempt to prevent cuts failed.
The opposition Liberal Democrat group at Leicestershire County Council called for an amendment to the authority’s budget in a bid to protect 26 subsidised routes across the county, but the ruling Conservative group rejected it.
It called for £1m, which was made available after better than expected funding from Government, to be put towards supporting the services.
Routes including services 30 and 33 in Market Harborough, the 44, which links the town with Foxton and Fleckney, and 747 which runs along the A47 corridor, will now be reviewed.
Lib Dem councillor Simon Galton represents the north of the Harborough District:
The Council says it can no longer afford to support subsidised services as it has in the past, due to an £88m hole it is finances.
Cllr Ozzy O’Shea, cabinet member for highways, spoke at yesterday’s budget setting meeting yesterday:
- A rise of 4.99% in the county council’s portion of council tax was approved, meaning Band D home residents will pay an extra £1.39 a week, taking yearly bills to just over £1,500.
