Derbyshire’s highways and transport chief has slammed claims released by Bolsover Labour MP Natalie Fleet’s office that a bus service for the village of Morton was cut by Derbyshire County Council as ‘completely wrong’.
Ms Fleet has stated that she wants to see a bus stop and service in Morton reinstated after the Number 55 service was rerouted away from the village by new operators Notts & Derby Buses after they took it over from former operator Hulleys when they ceased trading.
But after Ms Fleet’s office released claims that the Morton Service was cut by Conservative-led Derbyshire County Council, the authority’s highways and transport chief, Cllr Charlotte Cupit, explained this is a commercial route and the decision to remove the service was not made by the council and the authority is doing all it can to find a solution for villagers.
Cllr Cupit said: “Rather than trying to inaccurately and falsely, political point score on this important local issue, Conservative councillors have been trying to work on all options to get a regular service reinstated for Morton.
“This was not a decision made by the county council to remove Morton’s bus service as it is a commercially operated route.
“I’ve had no direct contact from Natalie or any Labour councillors on the Morton 55 bus issue. I’d have thought that this was an important local issue we should all be working together on regardless of party politics – Morton residents rightly don’t care about what colour party elected representatives are, they just want a service back, which as local Conservatives we’ll keep working on.”
Ms Fleet, who recently organised a public meeting, met with villagers who are still campaigning to secure a new service for the village and even though the new operator decided to remove Morton from the route residents have been urging Notts & Derby Buses to reconsider reinstating the village service.
The county council, which helps to fund the new service, has explained one of the reasons why Notts & Derby Buses decided not to serve Morton was the very small number of passengers who used the service from the village.
Derbyshire County Council has also stated that it is considering funding the Morton route and is in discussions to resolve the problem and Notts & Derby Buses have also stated that if the council can help fund the Morton stop they would consider reinstating the Morton route and stop.
A council spokesperson has said the council worked hard to help replace the services previously provided by Hulleys and it had also supported solutions for the services Hulleys had operated on a commercial basis.
Residents have also been provided a Derbyshire On Demand ‘dial a bus’ service which covers all of Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover can pick up and drop off residents from anywhere in these areas.
But Campaigner and resident Becky Spackman pointed out that pensioners have struggled to get to the GP, or go shopping, or see friends and family, and disabled and partially-sighted people have been left in the same position.
Ms Fleet has previously raised concerns about Bolsover residents living in what she described as ‘transport-related social exclusion’ and she has raised concerns for the people of Morton and urged the county council to take responsibility.
Following the recent public meeting, Ms Fleet, who is calling on the county council and transport providers to take action to restore the bus route to Morton, said: “Derbyshire County Council might say that only a few people use the bus service to Morton, but today’s turnout shows just how wrong that is.
“The stories I’ve heard today are from people of all ages – whether it’s for health reasons, staying connected socially, or getting to university. This bus is more than just a service – it’s a lifeline for so many. The message is loud and clear – this bus is essential, and we need it back for everyone who relies on it.”
NE Derbyshire District Councillor Kevin Gillott, who oversees Pilsely and Morton, has also raised concerns that some people have been left without a service and left struggling to get to work, and some students have not been able to get to college.
Cllr Gillott said: “The loss of bus service 55 has been absolutely devastating for many people in Morton and I’ve spoken to scores of people who have been affected by this decision.
“The village has no local services or shops which means anyone without access to a car is struggling to do their weekly shopping, see a doctor, get to college and work, or just see friends and family.
“The way the county council has handled this whole situation is quite appalling, describing the loss of a bus service to Morton as a ‘small change to the route’, and trying to sneak out the decision to scrap the service with the minimum of publicity.
“When I raised my concerns with the authority, I too was told by council officers that in their view too few people used the bus to justify a service and so it is interesting to hear that they are now denying that statement.
“If the county council is looking at other options, and getting a regular bus service can’t come soon enough, it comes as news to me because once again the current county council doesn’t believe in talking to its councillors about local services, never mind listening to the community.”
Cllr Cupit stressed that it is ‘completely wrong’ to say the county council cut the service because it was a commercial service which did not previously receive any funding from the council, other than the Bus Service Improvement Plan grant evening and weekend service enhancements.
She added that matters have also become more challenging because grant funding for buses now lies with the new, mayoral East Midlands Combined County Authority and matters have been further complicated with decision-making restrictions during the current local election period.
Cllr Cupit said: “If the Conservatives do form the next administration at the county council following the elections, my pledge is to ensure a service covers Morton, and Stonebroom estate, again. Even if not re-elected, this is something I will continue to campaign for.”
The village of Morton falls within the NE Derbyshire District Council area but it is also in MP Natalie Fleet’s Bolsover Parliamentary constituency.
Bolsover Mp Natalie Fleet Meets Morton Residents, In Derbyshire, Who Are Appealing For Help After Bus Operator Hulleys, Of Baslow, Ceased Trading And Notts & Derby Buses\’ New Service No Longer Stops In The Village, Courtesy Of Ms Fleet
