Bus cuts go ahead as Labour sits on their hands

5.00.29pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Sep 2005

Liberal Democrats have led opposition to bus cuts in Hampshire

Public protests and Labour abstentions greeted Tory plans to axe bus routes across Hampshire this week.

Liberal Democrats led opposition in the Council chamber as attempts were made to force a review of cuts to funding of bus routes, eighteen of which will now cease completely with a further 8 seeing drastic reductions in service.

Astonishingly, when the Lib Dem councillors forced a vote on the issue, the Labour councillors present chose to abstain - underlining Labour's complete indifference to issues facing people living in rural areas.

Protests were held outside the meeting and Liberal Democrats from north Hampshire presented a petition to the meeting signed by concerned local people.

All but one of the Tory councillors at the meeting voted for the cuts - which start to come into effect next week - but the one Tory councillor abstained first spoke in favour of the cuts!

Related Link:

Bus cuts details.