County Cuts Hit Home As Abingdon To Witney Bus Is Axed

3.49.48pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Mar 2007

Vale Liberal Democrats have reacted with dismay to the news that the X15 service between Abingdon and Witney has to be axed due to funding cuts at the County Council. The service was primarily aimed at students of Abingdon and Witney College but it has become increasingly popular in recent months and has provided a vital link for communities along the A415.

The bus was introduced in 2004 and was warmly welcomed by both parties in the Vale. The Tory Vale opposition leader and now County Councillor, Cllr Tilley's, ward in Kingston Bagpuize is in the middle of the bus route and her support for the new route in 2004 was notable.

The service cut will seriously impact on the 3300 people who use this service monthly - according to the County Council's own figures. There is likely to be a significant increase in car journeys resulting from the cut, as well as an increase in problems for residents without their own car. One in four Vale residents does not have access to a car.

Abingdon Councillor Alison Rooke said: "This is another example of a cut in vital services in the county resulting from the financial problems at the County Council. As their coffers empty, residents will see more and more service cuts across the board.

"This particular change is going to be disastrous. Students travelling between Abingdon and Witney College campuses will now either have to go via Oxford - taking up to two hours - or they will need to be taken to college by family or friends, adding to traffic on the busy route between the two towns. Travel by public transport from Abingdon to Witney hospital will be a total impracticality. This is a disaster brought to us by a party that claims to have green principles."