
Cumberland Council has approved plans to go to market to procure and commission a major expansion of local bus services, backed
by £3.5 million in Government funding through its Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP). The decision, made by Cumberland Council’s Highways & Transport Strategic Board, aims to deliver new and enhanced routes across the region, targeting areas where services are currently limited or commercially unviable.
The planned improvements follow what the council says was in-depth engagement with residents and stakeholders to understand local travel needs, such as preferred destinations, frequencies, and service times, after which all proposals were assessed to ensure maximum public benefit and value for money. The council adds that the delivery of the proposed enhancements will be subject to operators submitting a tender to run the services.
Proposed new and enhanced services include the addition of peak journeys and a new Sunday service between Carlisle and Anthorn, the reinstatement of a previous service between Kirkbride and Carlisle, a new coastal service from Whitehaven to Ravenglass, an upgrade to an hourly service between Carlisle and Cockermouth, a service between Carlisle and Hadrian’s Wall to provide a tourism and rural connectivity boost, a return of a local town service in Cockermouth and a new north-eastern town loop in Whitehaven, among a suite of others. In addition, the council says the engagement exercise has enabled it to develop a pipeline of service proposals to be delivered as future funding becomes available.
Cllr Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places, said: “I am delighted that the Highways Strategic Board endorsed this procurement. Cumberland Council and its officers have worked exceptionally hard to get us to this point engaging closely with both the public and transport operators to understand their needs and ideas. “This is the next step in building a better future for public transport in Cumberland, one that directly reflects what our communities have told us they want. This investment will enable us to deliver a more reliable, accessible, and sustainable bus network, connecting people to essential services and opportunities. It also supports our carbon reduction goals and encourages healthier lifestyles by providing real alternatives to car travel.
“While not all services may attract tenders, given market constraints such as vehicle and driver availability, Cumberland Council is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for residents within the available funding envelope.
“This initiative directly contributes to the council’s broader objectives as set out in the Cumberland Plan, particularly in improving health and well-being and supporting climate resilience through sustainable transport.”