Hucknall Councillors put forward proposal to reverse Connect bus cuts

Two of Hucknall's County Councillors held a top-level meeting earlier this week to fight to reverse proposed cuts to the Hucknall Connect bus service. 

Dave Shaw and John Wilmott who represent Hucknall West and Hucknall North respectively, for the Ashfield Independents on Nottinghamshire County Council, met with Tom Morgan, the new Managing Director of Trent Barton as well as a County Council transport boss.

The meeting was held after Trent Barton announced that it was axing all evening and Sunday services on the Hucknall Connect service from April, when the Government's multimillion pound package of post-pandemic support is due to end. 

The bus serves areas such as the Ruffs Estate, Westville, the Welbeck Estate, Broomhill and Hazel Grove in Hucknall. 

Residents have been left frustrated and angry about the proposed cuts with many saying that it will leave them unable to get to work, increasingly isolated, and without a bus service when they most need it.

In pleading for the reversal of the service reduction the Councillors have put forward a proposal for the County Council to subsidise the service on a six month trial. 

Trent Barton have confirmed that they will do this if the £75,000 funding is made available.

Councillor Shaw and his team have now written to transport bosses at County Hall to formally propose the measure. 

He said: "Since Trent Barton announced that they were cutting the Hucknall Connect service at night and on Sundays – we have been inundated with complaints from concerned residents. 

"These cuts will have a devastating impact – especially on our estates. Our proposal is a tiny fraction of the Council's total budget, yet will make a massive difference to so many people's lives.

"Trent Barton admit the service they have provided has been unreliable and that may be a reason for the lower than expected passenger numbers. We accept that their service has now improved considerably so on that basis – our proposal is entirely sensible. Residents on our estates will then get the chance to vote to keep their own bus service with their custom. For us, it's a no brainer."