Key Rural Bus Slashed under Tory Cuts

3.48.33pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Mar 2007

Yesterday Oxfordshire County Council delivered its response to David Cameron's claims to be leading a new type of conservatism by a further round of cuts in bus services, including the X15 service between Witney and Abingdon. This bus, which runs through David Cameron's own constituency, at present conveys 3300 people a month, having grown by 22% since last year.

The service links the two campuses of Abingdon and Witney College and was initially funded for two years under the Government's Kick Start scheme. Oxfordshire County Council not only refused to continue funding the route but would not enter into urgent partnership talks with the operator, the District Councils and the College.

They further issued a warning to bus operators to expect further cuts over the next two years.

Lib Dem County Councillor Bill Bradshaw said, "So much for 'new conservatism'. They are still the same bad, old, mean Tories. What this Council seems most 'excellent' at is robbing the poor, who do not own cars, to benefit those who do."