BURNHAM: We will continue to fight for the future of Community Transport

9.00.00pm GMT Mon 23rd Feb 2009

Cllr Richard Jones at Welsh Border Community Transport

Eleanor Burnham, Assembly Member for North Wales has called on the Welsh Assembly Government to end the uncertainty surrounding the funding of Community Transport schemes in Wales.

As the future of community transport schemes hangs in the balance, Welsh Liberal Democrats continue to lobby the Assembly Government and will tomorrow call upon the Minister during plenary to speak up on continuing financial support for these invaluable schemes.

Eleanor, Welsh Lib Dem Shadow Minister for Communities said, "I am appalled that these vital Community Transport pilots are not being told what will happen after funding ends on 31st March. It is distressing to the vulnerable people who use the services as well as to the staff who operate them.

"In Conwy, for example, around five hundred people depend on Community Transport. One elderly man lives in a nursing home a few miles out of the town and the Community bus picks him up and takes him home to spend a little time with his family then takes him back. There is no way he will be able to maintain that contact if the service is withdrawn.

"Conwy received funding of around £250,000 to buy vehicles, lease property and employ four members of staff. I have attempted to find out when an announcement will be made on the future of the project, but the Ministerial response has been disappointingly dismissive".

Buckley Cllr Richard Jones has been working with Welsh Border Community Transport to seek funding for the service to continue after March 2009.

Cllr Jones said: "Welsh Border Community Transport provide vital links for elderly and vulnerable residents in Flintshire to local services and facilities.

"I am hopeful a solution can be found to ensure this vital community transport service can continue to operate at its current level beyond March 2009 when the current funding from the Welsh Assembly grants expire."

Eleanor added: "The Government is dragging its feet on this and I don't think there is a full appreciation of how important Community Transport is to those who use it, or the worry that this delay is causing. A decision should have been made public months ago."