Honour pledge not to cut bus services

1.37.40pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 6th Sep 2005

Lib Dems are campaigning to protect Hampshire bus services

County Conservative Leader Ken Thornber should honour his election pledge not to cut services and overrule a decision about to be made by his Transport boss, Councillor Tim Knight.

That's the plea made by Liberal Democrat Shadow Cabinet Member Keith House this week in an open letter to the County Leader.

Councillor House notes that in the County's Budget Debate on 23 February, the County Leader pledged that in his budget "there are no cuts in services".

Yet just five months later, on 26 July, the County Cabinet Member responsible for buses announced cuts to 31 services and 120,000 passenger journeys. "By any definition this is a cut in services and explicitly not what you said on 23 February", comments the Lib Dem Councillor in his letter.

Councillor House has called on the Conservative Leader to overrule his Cabinet member if he confirms the cuts on 13 September. He says to Councillor Thornber,

"Many Hampshire residents will have taken you at your word when casting their votes that services would be maintained. I am sure you did not wish to mislead Hampshire residents. To keep your word to Hampshire's people I hope that, should Cllr Knight decide to proceed with these cutes you will overrule his decision and honour your election commitment".

The press release where Cllr Thornber said that there would be no cuts is: http://www.hants.gov.uk/press/2005/PR1883.html

Cllr Knight's press release of 26th July is: http://www.hants.gov.uk/press/2005/PR2251.html

Keith House can be contacted on 07768 357918