Bus cuts – Rebellion

"There will be rebellion in the villages." ...

... That was one angrily voiced phrase that was wedged in my mind after Hampshire County Council's meeting on transport services.

Around 60 representatives from local Councils throughout Hampshire met in the Castle to hear of current and future plans for public and community transport in the County.

Glowing initiatives and awards
'New Buses, Record Passengers, Winning Awards' - that was the heading given to the first transport presentation, and yes it was full of glowing initiatives, successes in raising investment, and lots of back-slapping for winning national recognition and awards for the work carried out. There are some excellent projects all being presented as wonderful examples of why the County believes it is amongst the best in the country for its public transport provision.

Improvements and success
The schemes heralded included the new multi-million pound Andover Bus Station, the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) links between Fareham and Gosport and on the A3 corridor, together with enhancements to timetable systems like Traveline. Superfast wifi on buses, comfy leather seats, and mobile apps for real-time information all gained enthusiastic praise from the HCC speakers – "Aren't we doing well" was the message they promoted.

BUT!

'But' is a word I normally don't like, 'but' in this case it summed up the feelings of many present. What use is a bus station full of plush coffee shops and electronic screens if there are no buses? What is the point of mobile apps and live bus tracking if there are no services? The gulf between those behind the desks and those who deal with the reality of trying to make a local journey to their nearest hospital or shops was all too apparent.
What is really needed are more and better services, although in many places any service at all would be an improvement.

And the nub - more cuts on the way
And thus to the nub – while all these so-called enhancements are underway with thousands being spent on new bus logos and pretty graphics, the main reason of the meeting was to introduce the County's Consultation - on Service Cuts!
Yes, Cuts! Perhaps there should be a Transport Award for them. HCC could collect another Gong.

Services to disappear
And here's the crunch. HCC, on the back of all its posturing about improvements are aiming to cut £1.25 to £1.5 million from its transport budget for the services it does presently support. Sunday services could be removed, evening buses stopped, older persons travel support reduced, all of which raised the obvious question - could not the funds being used for mobile apps, posh seats and coffee shops be used to run the much needed bus services themselves?


The answer came: No. Why?
Funding is rarely transferable as it is project specific.
Eyes rolled.

I left, believing that something is seriously wrong with 'the system' and that we will need to fight and lobby hard to keep our services.

Luckily in this round of cuts Whitchurch may not be hit too hard because it has already suffered so much previously. However we should not sit back.

At least in the Whitchurch area some of our services are supported by the Borough, not the County, but they too may be at risk.

So much goes on - Leisure and Environment

The seat was taken, coffee sipped, papers straightened and my first Leisure and Environment Meeting started under the experienced chairmanship of Councillor Barry Jackman.

With Councillors around the table, the gavel was banged.

Footpaths were high on the Agenda and cuts being made to maintenance by Hampshire County Council. Priorities had been set taking into account those most used to reach places like the school with the most important six being highlighted.

Rec Alley

Often it is the little things that make the difference and a small handrail in Rec Alley to help the less able up the last little slope was agreed – a small expense but worthwhile.

Meanwhile, trees in both Kingsley Park and the Cemetery took the time of the meeting as issues over their condition has been of concern.

Dog fouling is a regular complaint in Whitchurch and plans for a publicity campaign are to be drawn up using the posters created by local children. It seems I am to work with another Councillor on this.

Allotments are another Town Council responsibility and a proposal to use one for planting some potatoes as part of the WWI Commemorations was made.
It was also reported that they are presently flooded...

Which leads on to …

The town needs a Flood Plan and this created much discussion as it would be part of the Whitchurch Community Emergency Plan.
Of course the terrific work that was carried out by the Royal Navy, local organisations and individuals in the town when the river was rising gained much praise.
Everyone pulled together in a magnificent display of community spirit and I have another responsibility to take forward - but more on that later.

Being part of such a community is a wonderful experience.

Please be in touch if you want anything raised and I'll try to help.