Villagers called to action over looming council cuts

Villagers are being urged to turn out in numbers to show their support for under-threat services in Longton and New Longton.
PHOTO. KEVIN McGUINNESS.
Longton LibraryPHOTO. KEVIN McGUINNESS.
Longton Library
PHOTO. KEVIN McGUINNESS. Longton Library

The local Parish Council will be discussing Lancashire County Council’s proposals to axe the only bus service between villages and the possible closure of Longton Library, during it’s meeting from 7.30pm on February 2 at New Longton Village Hall.

Coun Graham Gooch, chairman of Longton Parish Council, said: “Lots of issues will be addressed at the meeting so we want as many people as possible to come along and find out what’s going on.

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“Clearly people of New Longton in particular are very concerned about the prospect of losing the 12A bus.”

The only bus between New Longton and Longton is set to be scrapped in April due to the expected withdrawl of County Council subsidies, as it looks to save an additional £262m by 2020.

But there is hope that the bus can be saved. Following a public outcry, members of Longton Parish Council agreed to set aside £60,000 from its budget to maintain a service.

There is hope that Hutton Parish Council and Penwortham Town council, through which the route runs, will also want to contribute.

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Coun Gooch added: “We’re still negotiating. It’s pretty well ahead that we’ll be able to keep the bus between Longton and Preston via New Longton and it will be the same bus, not a mini bus.

“There’s a special meeting on Monday evening to approve the money we’ve set aside out of the budget.

“Someone from Preston Bus will be coming along too.”

Members of the council are also urging villagers to take part in consultations over the cuts, with questionnaires available on Lancashire County Council’s website.

Coun Gooch is keen opinions are heard before a final decision is made by County Councillors on February 11.

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He said: “It’s all in limbo, but they still want to close all of these libraries.

“For us it looks like a straight fight between Penwortham and Longton libraries, but Longton is a far better proposition because it’s got parking and it’s near bus stops.

“There’s difficult choices to be made, but we’re worried about sweeping changes.

“At the last budget they (Labour) said they’d look at each bus service as it came up, but they have changed their minds and now it’s a sweeping cut of all subsidised services.

“In the meantime we’ve had some buses running around empty, wasting money.

“The bus companies need to be spoken to.”

To take part in consultations, visit: www.lancashire.gov.uk/haveyoursay