At least one bus service could soon stop in the centre of Spalding and plans for more services are in the offing, it’s been claimed.
Coun Angela Newton (pictured) has been campaigning for a service for the Wygate Park area and a service to stop in the town for ten years and has been in talks with bus operator Brylaine.
And it’s been claimed one or more buses stopping in the Sheep Market is being looked at.
Coun Newton has also called for operators to run half-hour services throughout the town running from 6.30am to 7pm.
Speaking at last week’s Spalding Town Forum she said: “I know it was a planning condition for Broadgate and they had to put quite a lot of money in – £150,000 to £250,000 – that when I chased up, the county council couldn’t find.
“They now know about it and I’ve now had something about extra buses into town (from Brylaine).
“It’s not just two extra buses, we’re talking about another bus as well that hopefully would stop in Sheep Market.
“Brylaine have a lot of good ideas, including going back to a half-hour service and bringing in parts of the town not covered by the bus at the moment.
“It’s proposed one of those into town buses will also go direct to the hospital, so people won’t have to change buses. There’s people out there trying hard and I’m saying hallelujah.
“The down side is it has to be funded and will the county council give any sponsorship for a trial period – I don’t know, but I shall do all I can.
“People want better transport links so they can leave their cars at home.
“If the bus is running much further around town every half an hour early morning to a bit later at night we’d be able to not bring our cars.”
Coun Elizabeth Sneath added: “I know Lincolnshire County Council is also looking at the possibility of bringing at least one bus service into the Sheep Market to get people into the heart of town.”
Speaking after the meeting Coun Newton said: “Much more funding is required and I hope that any new developments proposed in or near Spalding will be required to provide either Section 106 monies or a grant towards a trial period to see if the extended routes, earlier starts 6.30am/7am half hourly through to 6pm are viable.”
A spokesman for Lincolnshire County Council, said; “AT this stage the proposal is still in its very early days, but we are working with the bus company to improve services in Spalding.”
