Passengers given bus use warning

A bus route in south Cumbria has been reinstated with councillors warning passengers to "use it or lose it".

The 511 Ulverston to Broughton-in-Furness late afternoon service was dropped in 2008 because it was used by an average of only two people a day.

It will be back on the timetable on 23 February after Cumbria County Council earmarked £9,000 to retain it, following complaints by local people.

The funding will run out in October, so it must become self sustaining by then.

The bottom line is that we need more people to use this route or it will have to be withdrawn again Councillor Geoff Cook

Councillor Geoff Cook, chair of the local committee, said: "The simple message is: use it or lose it.

"We have seen the level of concern shown by many local people and we have reacted to this and re-introduced the service by pledging this money to the route.

"Unfortunately, the previous late afternoon service was used by an average of only two people per day.

"I really hope that the service will now be better used to bring more money in and the route can prove to be self sustainable.

"Unless that happens in the next few months it is not a sensible use of public money."

He added: "The bottom line is that we need more people to use this route or it will have to be withdrawn again."