Transportation Committee calls for Bus Cuts to be deferred

10.15.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd Sep 2003

Battle of buses goes on

After much pressure from the Lib Dems, the Tory chairman of the council's Transportation Select Committee agreed to call a special meeting on 19th September to comment on the proposed reduction of Sunday and evening services, due to be re-considered by the Executive on 30th September.

In July 2003 the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council had successfully forced the Conservative administration to reconsider their decision to cut bus services from September, even though they refused to debate a Lib Dem motion before the summer holidays.

The Transportation Select Committee will now recommend to the Executive meeting on 30th of September that there should be no cuts in services until after the Best Value Review on Public Transport has reported at the beginning of January 2004.

Councillor Janet Maines, Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Surrey County Council, said, "Liberal Democrats will keep up the pressure for a wide consultation before any cuts can be considered." She added "We welcome this recommendation, which comes as a result of the motion proposed by the Lib Dems at the County Council meeting on the 29th July".

Related Links:

Lib Dems force Tories to reconsider Bus Cuts

Tories to cut Evening and Weekend Buses