08 Jul Strategy for improved North Northamptonshire bus services to be discussed by Executive
A vision for a green, reliable, integrated bus network in the North Northamptonshire Council area will be discussed at the authority’s Executive this week.
The Bus Service Improvement Plan 2024 sets out how services can be improved to keep communities connected and bring environmental benefits.
The strategy proposes new service routes with an increase in frequency on some existing routes.
It builds on an improvement plan which was developed in 2021 and recent funding allocations for bus services, which saw the council receive £2.045m of funding in 2024/25 (in addition to previous allocations of £569,412 for both 2023/24 and 2024/25).
This money will be targeted towards actions which will deliver the best overall outcomes for bus services across North Northamptonshire.
If the report is approved, the funding will allow for a significant programme of bus service improvements across North Northamptonshire including:
- To continue to fund existing bus services where they represent value for money or maintain essential connectivity for local communities
- To increase service frequency or restore services withdrawn since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic where there is a reasonable prospect of the service becoming commercially viable
- To forward fund improvements where S106 developer funding is due before the end of the funding period to increase the time for the service to achieve commercial viability.
Cllr Matt Binley, the council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets, said:
“An effective local bus network can have massive benefits for residents and local communities – particularly the vulnerable and in areas seeing more deprivation – and this strategy helps pave the way for some significant improvements.
“Well-connected communities help develop social cohesion and are vital component in assisting economic growth and workforce mobility.
“While this public funding is a great catalyst to enhance bus travel, ultimately services are run by private companies who rely on patronage to make them sustainable in the long-term.”
Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council, said:
“I welcome this strategy as a blueprint to develop improved bus services in our area.
“Buses play a major role in reducing congestion on our roads, reducing pollution and helping us meet our ambitious carbon reduction targets.
“I’m delighted that we are setting the bar high with our ambitions and working hard to make sure they become a reality.”
The Executive will meet on Thursday July 11 at 10am in the Corby Cube and the papers are now available online. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube.